NORCO — The Norco softball team has played only two games since returning from the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions three weeks ago. However, no rust seems to have accumulated on the arms of Peyton May and Coral Williams. Norco’s Dakota Potter, (#42), makes a catch in foul territory against Aqu inas, Friday, during a non-league game in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Norco’s Isabella Ray, (#17), high fives her coach Richard Robinson after hitting a homer against Aquinas during their non-league game, Friday in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Aquinas centerfield Zoey Galindo, (#3), makes a diving catch against Norco during their non-league game, Friday in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Norco’s Peyton May, (#2), delivers a pitch to Aquinas’ Harlymn Parks, (#23), during thier non-league game, Friday in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Norco’s Tamryn Shorter, (#4), celebrates with her teammates after hitting a homer against Aquinas play during a non-league game, Friday in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Aquinas’ Katie Coldiron, (#23), delivers a pitch against Norco during their non-league in Norco, Ca., Friday, March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Norco’s Dakota Potter, (#42), slides and misses a fly ball against Aquinas, Friday, during a non-league game in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Aquinas’ Elizabeth Padilla (#12), fields a ground ball and throws to first base against Norco during their non-league game, Friday in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Norco’s Sasha Pham, (#10), misses a ground ball against Aquinas during their non-league game, Friday in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Norco’s Peyton May, (#2), delivers a pitch against Aquinas during their non-league game, Friday in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Show Caption1 of 10Norco’s Dakota Potter, (#42), makes a catch in foul territory against Aquinas, Friday, during a non-league game in Norco, Ca., March 28, 2025. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela) Expand Eight days after Williams fired a perfect game with a career-high 18 strikeouts in the Big VIII League opener against Corona, May stepped inside the pitcher’s circle Friday afternoon and tossed a five-hitter with a season-high 14 strikeouts as the Cougars defeated Aquinas 4-0 in a nonleague game. It was the second shutout of the year for May, and the strikeout total was one off her career best achieved while pitching at Orange Lutheran in 2023. “It’s been a while, so the start was a little shaky,” May said about pitching for the first time in 20 days. “The further into the game, it felt much better.” May’s teammates spotted her an early lead. Tamryn Shorter singled through the right side to lead off the bottom of the first inning, stole second and moved to third on an error on the throw to second. Shorter scored the first run of the game when she trotted home on a groundout by Ashley Duran. Friday marked the first day players who transferred schools and had to observe the CIF Southern Section’s sit-out period were eligible to compete. Katie Coldiron made her Aquinas debut. It was also her maiden varsity appearance after pitching for Yucaipa’s JV team last season as a freshman. “It’s great to be playing again, especially against great competition like Norco,” said Coldiron, who allowed eight hits while striking out five Friday. Norco sophomore infielder Sadie Burroughs was another notable sit-out player returning Friday. Burroughs played her freshman year at Santiago. “I was excited. There was a lot of anticipation going into the game, and I was happy to playing with this team,” said Burroughs, who went 1 for 3. Norco (13-1) still was clinging to a 1-0 lead after four innings. Shorter stepped to the plate with one out in the fifth and launched a deep fly to center. The ball sailed over the head of Aquinas center fielder Zoey Galindo, and the speedy Shorter easily circled the bases for an inside-the-park homer. Bella Ray crushed a solo homer to left field to extend the lead to 3-0 in sixth, and the Cougars added another run in that inning on a pair of errors. Aquinas (7-7) had a few quality scoring opportunities. Savanna Estrada doubled to center field leading off the second but was stranded there after May fanned three straight. Kat Garcia led off the fifth and seventh innings with singles, but the Falcons left two runners on the bases each inning. Despite the result, Aquinas coach Greg Galindo was pleased with his team’s performance and is excited for the future with Coldiron now in the mix. The Falcons have a pair of important Ambassador League games vesus Linfield Christian next week (Tuesday at home, and Thursday on the road). “She showed a lot of confidence today,” Galindo said of Coldiron. “With her back and pitching for us, the whole team just feels a little different now.” Related Articles Isaac Castanon’s walk-off single lifts Summit baseball team to Sunkist League win over Kaiser Corona shuts out JSerra, advances to Boras Classic South championship game Inland track and field notes: Santiago’s Blade eyes record 3200 at The Ten IE Varsity’s high school girls track and field leaders, March 27 IE Varsity’s high school boys track and field leaders, March 27 Norco, ranked No. 5 in the nation by Maxpreps.com, heads to the prestigious Michelle Carew Classic next week. The Cougars will square off against Esperanza in a first-round game Wednesday afternoon at Peralta Canyon Park in Anaheim. “I wish we could have had a couple of more games these past three weeks,” Norco coach Rick Robinson said. “Katie threw a really good ballgame for them today, and we figured she was going to do that. So, I do like the fact that we got to see a quality pitcher a few days before opening up at Carew.” ...read more read less