Monte Vista Christian senior Kayla Fullalove-Silveira wasted little to no time getting prepared for the 2025 spring campaign once the offseason came into full effect in the summer.
It was practically an everyday grind for the Mustangs’ slugger as she spent most of her free time playing for the So Cal Athletics travel softball club based out of Orange just southeast of Anaheim.
The hard work is certainly paying off, to say the least. Fullalove-Silveira is currently batting an astonishing .711 average (31-for-45) with five home runs, nine doubles, one triple, 13 stolen bases, 28 RBIs and 31 runs scored this season for MVC.
Mustangs head coach Gerry Vargas said the reason she’s such an incredible hitter and intelligent at the plate is because of all the time she puts into her craft.
“This is why [Fullalove-Silveira] is where she is. I don’t know what I’m gonna do without her when she leaves,” Vargas said. “She’s just a different breed. It’s a blessing sometimes because the girls can see that. You don’t always play with players at this caliber, especially the girls that we have right now.”
Once her time is up at MVC, Fullalove-Silveira will continue her softball career at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut located along the Long Island Sound. She said it’s a nice area, but what stood out the most was her meeting with Knights softball coach Dawn Stearns and just the team dynamic.
“They were very close and tight knitted,” Fullalove-Silveira said. “It seemed like they had really good chemistry and I’m really excited to play for them.”
In the meantime, she will attempt to help the Mustangs bounce back following a 8-0 defeat to Pacific Grove in Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division play Thursday afternoon. With the loss, MVC dropped to 1-5 in league play, and currently own a 7-8 overall record.
“We start slow, but I feel as the season goes we’re gonna be up to where we want to be,” Vargas said.
After squaring off with most of the teams within the division, Fullalove-Silveira is also optimistic about being able to compete with the rest, and best, of them.
“We’re gonna know a lot more pitchers and players, and I think that will help us compete even better,” she said.
A majority of the team does not compete for travel ball clubs. However, the Mustangs do have a young group of players with some experience playing outside of school. Fullalove-Silveira said this year’s crop of freshmen are taking on a big role this season, especially starting pitcher Harper Ealy Whitby and catcher Addie Boles.
“I think they’re really helping us build up the program even more,” Fullalove-Silveira said. “Even our sophomores and juniors, they’re doing great, and they’re stepping into a big role, which is really good.”
Boles has been an offensive spark this season. She is currently batting a .326 average (14-for-43) with one triple, four doubles, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored, according to statistics on the Max Preps website.
Behind the plate, Boles is catching the heat from Ealy Whitby, who owns a 4-1 record in 15 appearances inside the circle. Ealy Whitby has 60 total strikeouts and a 5.81 ERA
Vargas said Whitby will continue to learn as she spends more time in the circle, especially at the varsity level, and he’s looking forward to watching his ace pitcher make strides as the season progresses.
Other impactful players include sophomore Ava Alvarado and junior Samantha Bertoldi. Alvarado is batting a .408 average (19-for-48) with eight doubles, 18 runs scored and 11 RBIs, while Bertoldi is second on the team with three home runs, and is batting a .396 average (19-for-48) with three triples, five doubles, 27 runs scored and 12 RBIs this season.
Teammate sophomore Gianna Johnson is batting a .362 average (21-for-58) with five doubles, 18 runs scored and 10 RBIs, and junior Juliana Lopez is batting a .292 average (14-for-48) with one home run, one double, 12 runs scored and 13 RBIs for MVC.
“They’re all really coachable, and they’re always willing to learn,” Vargas said. “They’re very respectable and respect all the coaches, and they’re just a good group of girls.”
Fullalove-Silveira told her teammates prior to the new campaign the biggest factor in playing well is to stay calm and take everything step by step.
“I wanted to make sure they know we’re a team and we’re gonna stay as a team,” Fullalove-Silveira said. “I want to be a good leader for this team just because it’s my senior year. I want them to stay strong as the four seniors leave. I want to do good in league as a team, as well, and just win games.”
As young and inexperienced the Mustangs might be, Vargas said this particular scrappy group has the grit every game and never gives up.
“My expectations are that I want to win every game, make playoffs and just keep on improving,” Vargas said.
Next up, MVC (7-7, 1-4) will host Santa Cruz in non-league action on April 7 at 4pm. The Mustangs continue PCAL Mission Division play at Rancho San Juan on April 9 at 4:30pm.
*Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a story published in the print edition of The Pajaronian on April 4.
