Aptos graduate Bailey Fulton was beaming with confidence going into the 2025 softball season knowing this year just felt a lot different than the previous three.
“Our team, we just clicked more and it felt like we could take it pretty far,” Fulton said. “I don’t think anyone expected to go as far as we did, though.”
Fulton and her teammates made some history after they led the Mariners to the Central Coast Section Division III finals for the first time in the program’s history. They also became the first team in Santa Cruz County to get past the first round of California Interscholastic Federation NorCal Regional playoffs.
Fulton qualified for the CCS playoffs in her first three seasons with the Mariners, yet each campaign ended in the same heartbreaking result—an early exit in the first round. And despite falling short, her most memorable moment was reaching the CCS finals against No. 4 seed Westmont on May 31.
The No. 7 seeded Mariners were edged 4-3, and it was a game Fulton believed they should have won. However, she said the blazing hot conditions in San Jose played a big role in how they performed that afternoon.
“It was pretty hot. When we got there, just because of the heat, our energy wasn’t as high as it usually is,” Fulton said. “Energy brings a lot to a team when it’s up, and it keeps our momentum going. So, I think that got to us a little bit.”
Aptos graduate Lilly McGee said the game was a representation of how their season went.
“Our energy got better as the whole game went on, it never really dipped,” she said. “I think that’s how we were able to even get back in this game.”
But, their season hadn’t ended just yet.
Aptos head coach Phil Rojas Jr. believes one of their biggest games was the come-from-behind 4-3 victory against No. 2 Argonaut in the NorCal Division IV quarterfinals.
The No. 7 seeded Mariners scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to sneak past the Mustangs, making the 155-mile trek from Jackson to Aptos a much more joyful ride back home.
“That [game] I’ve been reflecting on more than anything,” Rojas said. “That one stands out because they fought to the end. That bus ride home was so much better than not winning that ball game. It was incredible.”
Aptos’ playoff run came to a stop against No. 3 San Leandro, which Rojas said was a good hitting team.
“I felt we still had a chance, even though the score says what it was,” Rojas said.
Rojas said they had some miscues that led to four runs for San Leandro, and a punch to the gut for Aptos.
Rojas couldn’t take in all of the postseason fever at the time because of how busy life got with work, scheduling extra softball playoff games and dealing with seniors who were about to graduate.
Now that the season is in the books, Rojas will load up his fishing boat and reflect on their historic run.
“It’s a big deal. It’s great for the program, and that’s what I love about it,” Rojas said. “My kids feel good. They’re walking really high because they know they accomplished something that’s amazing. And I think they were in the same boat with me.”
Aptos was runner-up behind Scotts Valley in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League with an 11-4 record in league play, and finished with an 18-9 overall record.
Rojas said it began at the top with the four graduating seniors and team captains in Fulton, Kailani Aguayo, Lilly McGee and Mackenzie Lashley.
“They led by example and were big contributors to this whole run,” Rojas said.
Rojas mentioned how the underclassmen saw what was going on, feeling the intensity and how to handle it all during the postseason. He said they figured out what it took to play at the highest level, especially having to face the best of the best.
“They were all ready to go just in case we needed to execute something because at that level it’s about executing,” Rojas said.
Fulton said everyone on the team wanted to be present and left all personal issues aside, staying focused from start to finish.
“When we stepped on the field, we knew that we had each other’s backs,” she said.
One of Fulton’s goals this past season was to take the younger players under her wing. The coaches within the league took notice of her leadership qualities, and presented Fulton with the SCCAL’s Impact Player of the Year award.
“It means a lot just knowing that my four years here I did make a difference and I wanted to have an impact on the team, and them going forward,” Fulton said.
Fulton will continue her softball career at Cabrillo College under longtime head coach Kristy Rosinger.
Rojas said Fulton is an incredible shortstop, and has a rocket for an arm that is good enough to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
“Her range is unbelievable,” said Rojas, who played shortstop growing up. “It’s not like I favor that position, but seeing how she can control that area, it’s going to be a hard one to replace. But you know what? I was lucky to have her for four years and just an unbelievable kid.”
