Colton, CA—The 2025 softball season has been special for the Yellowjackets.
They finished their regular season schedule last week on a high note, shutting out Arrowhead Christian 7-0 in a road matchup. The day before, they fell short in a non-league game against Lancaster, 9-4.
Before that game started, however, the team held a ceremony to celebrate Colton varsity softball coach, Mike Southworth.
The team’s 12-1 victory over Bloomington High on Apr. 30 was Southworth’s 500th victory as a head coach. It’s a momentous achievement for a coach.
Southworth has been coaching for 22 years. Besides Colton, he also coached at Chino Hills and Fontana. When asked how he contributes to his longevity, he says, “I enjoy the game and I like the competition.”
After being at those schools for a time and having great players there, he knew it was gonna take time to adjust to being a new coach with Coltons talented players.
Reaching the 500 milestone is rare in high school sports, but Southworth believes that it’s about being “in the right place, at the right time,” which is on the Colton softball field.
As for his team, the girls have had a different kind of season compared to the others. There have been little things that have changed, like with the team’s defense. “We’re smarter,” Southworth said. “Before the next pitch the defense already knows what to do.”
Southworth also praises his pitchers, their walking less than two batters per seven innings and limiting free base runners. For his hitters, they understand the drills better, helping them out on the base.
Although Colton’s been successful, this loss against Lancaster was an eye opener for Southworth and the girls. With a disoriented game and untimely injuries against a third place team in a quality league, the girls needed to figure out their struggles and fix things up as they prepare for the league tournament and the upcoming CIF playoffs.
Today, Colton has a home game against Bloomington High in the first game of the San Andreas league tournament. The tournament will determine the winner of the league title.
