Dull moments are few and far between whenever the Murrieta Mesa and Great Oak softball teams square off.

The two programs have waged some contentious battles throughout the years, and there was drama from start to finish Friday afternoon.

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Great Oak’s Sydney Smith #5 slides safe into home to score a run as Murrieta Mesa’s
Adelaide Joaquin #17 catches the ball to stop the next runner at third base during their game at home in Temecula Friday, May 2, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

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Taelyn Holley belted a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning, and shortstop Kenzie Farrier made a diving catch for the final out as Murrieta Mesa erased an early seven-run deficit and then held on for an 11-10 victory that clinched at least a share of the Southwestern League title.

The Rams (16-7-1 overall, 12-2 in league) can make it an outright title when they host Great Oak in the regular-season finale Wednesday.

“We know it’s always going to be a dogfight with them,” Murrieta Mesa coach Antonio Romero said about those yearly league games agianst Great Oak.

Great Oak (18-8-1, 11-3) got off to a strong start Friday. Kanani Elderts hit a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the first, and the Wolfpack doubled that lead later in the inning after RBIs singles by Regan Spillers and Ava Galvan. Great Oak extended the lead to 7-0 in the third. Reese Ferrel singled in one run during that frame, and the other two runs scored on a hit batter and a wild pitch.

Murrieta Mesa had a big response, scoring seven runs in the top of the fourth inning to tie the score. Holley and Lilly Hauser recorded back-to-back RBI singles to cut the deficit to 7-4, and Macy Clark capped the outburst by the Rams with a two-run homer to center field.

“We’ve been in situations like this before,” Romero said. “I just told them to just chip away, and they came through with that huge inning.”

Spillers swung momentum back to Great Oak’s side when she slammed a two-run homer to center with two outs in the bottom of the fourth.

Murrieta Mesa halved the deficit in the top of the fifth inning, and it was Holley who came through with an RBI single with two outs.

The score remained 9-8 in favor of Great Oak after six innings. And Murrieta Mesa had the bottom of the lineup due up in the seventh.

Maddie Boehm led off the inning with a single to center, and Nyah Sanchez singled with one out. That set the stage for Holley, the Tennessee-bound center fielder and reigning IE Varsity Player of the Year. Holley drove a 1-1 pitch over the fence to give the Rams their first lead of the day. It was the 14th homer of the season and 35rd of her career for Holley, who flipped her bat before rounding the bases.

“It was a no-doubter,” Romero said of Holley’s home run. “There’s never been questions about Tae’s ability or performance on the field. What I’m proud of most is hear leadership. She’s a little shy and has never had to be in that role for us, but she’s stepped up and done a phenomenal job.”

Great Oak went down with a fight. Chloe Koenigshofer reach on an error with one out, and Sydney Smith was hit by a pitch with two down. Jocelyn James doubled to left field to bring home one run. Spiller was down to her final strike when she drilled a hard line drive to the left side of the infield. Farrier ranged to her right and made the diving grab that secured Murrieta Mesa’s fifth consecutive league championship.

“She’s resilient,” Romero said of Farrier. “When the big moments are there, she wants the bat in her hands or out there making a big play.”

Holley went 3 for 5 with four RBIs to lead an 18-hit attack by Murrieta Mesa. Clark and Beohm also recorded three hits during the game, while Hauser, Camrynn Gordon, Tatum Wolff each added a pair of hits for the Rams.

Hauser earned the win in the circle, pitching five innings of relief, allowing four runs (one earned) and striking out seven batters.

Great Oak finished the game with 10 hits, including two apiece by Elderts, James and Spillers.


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