Granada Hills Highlanders Secure Dramatic Playoff Victory

With the target on their back as the reigning city champion in the CIF Open Division, the Granada Hills Highlanders once again showed their dominance in the 2026 campaign going unbeaten in the West Valley league. The top-seeded Highlanders headed into Friday’s season’s Open Division playoffs with a matchup with their crosstown rivals in the eighth-seeded Kennedy Golden Cougars on their home field. Granada Hills was pushed to their limit by a gutsy Cougars team, who held the lead for the majority of the contest. The Highlanders battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, before junior utility Emma Villavisencio came off the bench for a walk-off base hit to win the game 3-2 in spectacular fashion.

A young female softball player in a white and green uniform standing on the pitcher's mound, holding a glove, with spectators in the background.

The Highlanders finished the season strong with a six-game winning streak powered by senior right-handed pitcher April Anaya, who was third in the CIF L.A. City Section this season with 14 wins. She took the mound against a red-hot Cougars team that had won nine consecutive games of their own. Junior Maya Dorato created an early spark for the Cougars with a triple in the top of the 1st inning. Kennedy starting pitcher Yulissa Rodriguez, who was 7th in the CIF L.A. City Section with a 2.30 ERA, knocked in the first run for the Cougars to give her team an early 1-0 lead.

A softball player in a dark uniform swings a bat at a yellow softball during practice, with spectators in the background.

Granada Hills closed the inning with a strikeout before Rodriguez took the mound to put together a scoreless inning despite two walks. Both pitchers settled in during the 2nd inning with neither surrendering a hit or a walk.

A female softball pitcher in a black uniform winds up to throw a pitch, while players and spectators observe in the background.

A female softball player throwing a pitch on a field, wearing a white jersey with green accents and the number 14, with spectators in the background.

Kennedy freshman Sofia Rodriguez led off the top of the 3rd inning with a double. Following a groundout on the next at-bat, Yulissa Rodriguez once again showed off her prowess at the plate with her second RBI of the day to bring home her sister to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage. Anaya closed the 3rd inning without surrendering any further damage, while Rodriguez struck out two in her third consecutive scoreless inning.

The game moved into the top of the 4th inning, and Anaya held Kennedy scoreless after allowing a single to open the inning. Granada Hills received a spark on the offensive end in the bottom of the inning with a single from sophomore Sophia Gonzalez. The Cougars earned the first out on a fielder’s choice before sophomore catcher Daisha Vizcarra knocked in the Highlanders’ first run of the game with a single to bring the score to 2-1.

A softball player in a white jersey with green accents runs towards home plate on a dirt field, while another player in a black uniform prepares to catch the ball in the background.

The Cougars held onto their lead as the game went into the top of the 5th inning, where Anaya made quick work of Kennedy in her second scoreless, hitless inning of the afternoon. Granada Hills head coach Ivan Garcia was impressed with Anaya’s leadership in the way she battled through adversity. “I’d put my money on April, because she’s going to give you everything she has.”, said Garcia following the win, “We’re proud of her, we wouldn’t be here without her.”

Granada Hills had an opportunity with runners in scoring position in the bottom of the 5th inning. Following a single from Highlanders’ junior outfielder Brooklyn Williams, she proceeded to reach second base on an error. With two runners on base, the Cougars earned the first out of the inning on a fielder’s choice at third base. Kennedy senior shortstop Sarah Olague made an incredible play tagging out Granada Hills senior Elysse Diaz heading to third base on a double-play throw to first base to end the inning.

A young female softball pitcher in a black uniform throws a bright yellow softball while another player in the foreground watches.

Still holding a 2-1 lead heading into the top of the 6th inning, Kennedy’s Olague was hit by a pitch to open the inning. With their season on the line, Anaya struck out two more batters for her sixth and seventh strikeouts of the contest and her third consecutive scoreless inning.

The Highlanders got on base in the bottom of the 6th inning when Gonzalez was hit by a pitch. She proceeded to advance to second base following a sacrifice bunt to put her in scoring position. In perfect position to tie the game, Vizcarra doubled for her second hit of the game. However, Gonzalez was caught in a rundown between third and home and was tagged out for the second out. Rodriguez attained the final out of the inning, and the Cougars were only three outs away from a monumental upset playoff victory.

A high school softball game action shot showing a player from the Kennedy team attempting to tag out a runner from the opposing team, with spectators visible in the background.

Anaya held the Cougars scoreless once again in the top of the 7th inning, allowing one hit while adding a strikeout. Granada Hills took the plate at the bottom of the inning with their season hanging in the balance. Junior first baseman Aubrie Rodriguez was subbed into the game and she recorded a single to lead off the inning. During the next at-bat, Rodriguez was brought home on a wild throw to first base following a bunt attempt from Williams. Granada Hills tied the game at 2-2.

The home crowd for Granada Hills went into a frenzy, as the Highlanders were given new life in their hopes of defending their crown. After a groundout on the next at-bat, Granada Hills senior shortstop and team captain Zoe Justman added a single to put a runner on first and third base. Garcia subbed in Villavisencio for her first attempt at the plate, with Justman proceeding to steal 2nd base in the process.

A female softball player celebrating as she runs towards home plate, with teammates in the foreground and coaches in the background during a game.

A group of female softball players in white uniforms celebrate joyfully on the field, embracing and running towards a man in a patterned shirt after a successful play.

Villavisencio seized the moment by knocking in the game-winning single to bring home Williams, as the players ran onto the field in euphoria in their celebration. Having survived a tough test from their local rivals, Garcia understands that his team will be challenged in their quest for back-to-back city titles. “It’s anybody’s game right? Anybody can beat you on any given day.”, he stated, “That’s why we play.”

Granada Hills will move on to host San Pedro in the CIF Open Division Semifinals on Wednesday at 3:00 pm for a chance to move on to the city championship game.

All photos by David Martinez