LA MESA — Helix High School, the school that produced athletic legends Bill Walton and Reggie Bush, does not own a memorable softball history. The Highlanders started playing the sport in the late 1970s and are still looking for their first CIF San Diego Section championship.
“We’re taking care of that this year,” vowed junior catcher Nikaylah Domingo.
The Highlanders certainly look like they’re headed for a special season. Down four runs at home Wednesday afternoon to visiting Steele Canyon, Helix rallied for an 8-6 win, running its record to 13-1.
Making the comeback all the more impressive, the Scotties scored seven of their runs with two outs.
“That just says all of us never know how to give up,” said Domingo, who went 3-for-4, including a two-run homer, driving in three runs.
“More than anything,” said coach Molly Sturdivant, “we trusted our bats.”
Playing their first game in 18 days because of spring break, a forfeit and a canceled game, Helix was not at its sharpest. The Highlanders committed six errors.
“A one-off,” said Domingo.
Stringing together five singles, a hit batter, wild pitch and a fielder’s choice, Steele Canyon (7-7) scored five runs in the fourth inning to take a 6-2 lead.
But Helix, which came in hitting .406, hung a five-spot of its own in the fifth inning to go ahead 7-6, all the runs scoring with two outs.
Freshman center fielder Amara Okafor and junior Lillianna Benabdeljalil each contributed two-run singles.
Lea Moya stepped out of the dugout to close the game with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit. The sophomore has pitched 37 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run. She has struck out 50 batters and walked just 10.
Helix’s Clarissa Torres #22 tags out Steele Canyon’s Ily Barclay #3 and attempts to turn a double play during their game at Helix High School on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in La Mesa, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Helix figures to be good for some time. The Scotties’ top 10 players include two freshmen, five sophomores and a junior.
Freshman Naleia Medina, who missed the game because she’s in concussion protocol, is hitting .594. Domingo is hitting .511 with a team-best 22 RBI. Five other players are hitting .444, .400, .344, .333 and .324.
It’s a team that feels it deserves more respect. While the Highlanders are ranked eighth in the section by MaxPreps.com, they didn’t land in the Union-Tribune’s top-10 poll this week. Two weeks ago, they were ranked 10th.
“The thing they wonder,” said assistant coach Michael Minjares, “is how we dropped out of the top 10 when we didn’t play.”
Steele Canyon players run back to the dugout during their game against Helix at Helix High School on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in La Mesa, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
One factor is that the Highlanders, a Division 3 team, haven’t faced the toughest schedule. They’ve played just two Division 1 schools and three Division 2 teams.
“It doesn’t tick me off because that’s not our goal, being in the top 10 in April,” said Minjares. “Our goal is to win a Division 3 championship. That doesn’t happen for another month. But that does serve as motivation.”
Getting dropped to Division 3 this season does annoy the Scotties.
“We shouldn’t be in Division 3,” said Domingo.
As she swept the Scotties’ dugout, Benabdeljalil said: “That ticks everyone off.”