Fall Softball Big Hit for Cavegirls

By Don Eskins

For Cavegirl softball fans, who anxiously await spring for the start of a new season, the waiting just might be over.

The Cavegirls, piloted by head coach Brian Santo, are now actively competing in the fall as well.

While the reason for playing fall softball should be obvious—the more you play, the better you become—there’s yet another very important one.

“Besides competing for a state championship each year, we do our best to help our kids get collegiate scholarships,” said the Cavegirl skipper. “Playing a few tournaments during the fall has become a great avenue to help us do just that.

“The tournaments we attend in the fall, alongside a few in the summer, offer us a great way to showcase our girls’ talents in front of a huge number of college coaches,” said Santo. “Tournaments like these, where some of the best softball players from around the nation gather to compete, have become a hotbed for college recruiting.”

On Deck for the Cavegirls

And, might you ask, just how big are these tournaments? Well, here’s what’s up next for Carlsbad’s girls.

On Friday through Sunday, October 16-18, the Cavegirls will be in Houston, TX, to compete in the Ronald McDonald Showcase sponsored by Triple Crown Sports.

“We’ll be competing in the City of Lights Bracket. There’ll be 30 teams in our bracket, and we’re guaranteed at least five games,” said Santo. “Besides shoring up on their softball skills, our girls will be auditioning for playing at the next level in front of some of the top collegiate programs in the nation. All told, coaches from 24 colleges will be present.”

Off To Great Start

To date, the Cavegirls have participated in two fall tournaments. Earlier this fall, with two teams from Carlsbad High participating, they won the FP1 Cleveland (Rio Rancho) Round Robin Tournament. Both Cavern City teams went 4-0.

More recently, on September 24-26, in a watered-down tournament due to rainy weather, Carlsbad High’s girls won the NCS Carlsbad Round Robin Invitational Championship.

Along with their upcoming trip to Houston, the Cavegirls have three other tournaments scheduled for this fall. They are 1. November 7-8: the NCS Carlsbad Round Robin II Invitational (featuring teams from Midland, Hobbs, Artesia, Volcano Vista, Mayfield, and possibly a few others); 2. November 14-15: the NCS Carlsbad Hit Harvest; and 3. December 11-13: the NCS RMFL Regional Championship in El Paso.

Cavegirls 2026 Fall Ball Roster: Seniors: Katrina Ortega, Alexis Nieto, Amaris Martinez; Juniors: Kendra Ortega, Addyson Vallejos, Daisha Nieto, Janaiah Romero, Marisela Reyes; Sophomores: Addilyn Smith, Brooklyn Cook-Palma, Camylla Uranga, Emory Bland; Freshmen: Brielle Ortega, Meris Fuentes, and Miley Granger.