Brawley falls to Helix in CIF Division III championship, turns attention to state playoffs

A 6-2 loss against the Helix Scotties isn't the end of Brawley's incredible softball season

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KYMA) - Brawley’s run to the CIF San Diego Section Division III softball championship came up just short Saturday as the Wildcats fell 6-2 to Helix at Aztec Softball Field on the campus of San Diego State University.

Despite the loss, Brawley's season is not over. The Wildcats will continue their postseason journey in the CIF State playoffs beginning Tuesday.

Helix struck first and never fully relinquished control, but Brawley battled throughout a championship game that featured momentum swings and strong defensive plays from both sides.

One of the game's early highlights came in the top of the first inning when Brawley junior Demi Cornejo raced back to the warning track to make a running catch and prevent additional damage.

The Wildcats answered in the bottom of the second. Kiana Adame delivered a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Sophia Ruiz and tied the game at one while advancing Cornejo into scoring position.

Helix regained the lead in the following inning when Amara Okafor lined a hit into right field that drove in two runs, helping the Scotties build a lead they would not surrender.

Brawley continued to fight back, trimming the deficit to one run later in the game on another run-scoring fly ball that brought home Kaitlyn Castro. However, Helix pulled away late and secured the section championship with the 6-2 victory.

Following the game, Brawley Athletic Director Billy Brewer praised the Wildcats' postseason run and emphasized that the team's goals remain intact with state competition still ahead.

"I'm extremely happy with these kids and satisfied with what they've done," Brewer said. "Of course we want to win. We're down a little bit right now, but both of these teams are advancing to state Tuesday and hopefully we get a home game. It's not over and we'll push on."

Brewer also credited head coach Kevin Kerns and his staff, including Jeff Wise, Philip Yescas and Lily Martinez, for guiding a young roster to a section championship appearance.

"We got a young team and we'll be back," Brewer said.

The Wildcats entered the championship game as the No. 1 seed and faced a Helix squad that finished the season with a strong overall record. Brewer said Brawley had opportunities early and proved it could compete with one of the section's top programs.

"These kids are competitive," Brewer said. "We had some opportunities in those first couple of innings, and I think they will look back on that and know they were in the ballgame. It was a very tight game. They were No. 2, we were No. 1. It's a good team. They can hit the ball."

Brewer noted that a few defensive miscues proved costly but said effort was never an issue.

"We made a couple of errors that really cost us, but not a lack of effort," Brewer said.

The championship atmosphere was bolstered by a large contingent of Brawley supporters who made the trip west to San Diego. Brewer said the turnout reflected the community's commitment to its student-athletes.

"I appreciate this community," Brewer said. "They travel, they support these kids, they give everything to these kids. We are a family. When we say that, we believe that."

With a section runner-up finish secured and state playoffs still ahead, Brewer expects that support to continue.

"That support will be the same come Tuesday," Brewer said. "It's not going to end tonight."

Brawley will return to action Tuesday when the Wildcats begin CIF State Regional play.