Legacy High Softball Claims First LA City Title
The Legacy High School Lady Tigers made history this season, capturing their first-ever CIF Los Angeles City Section Division I softball championship with a 4–0 win over Port of L.A. High at Cal State Northridge.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The Legacy High School Lady Tigers made history this season, capturing their first-ever CIF Los Angeles City Section Division I softball championship with a 4–0 win over Port of L.A. High at Cal State Northridge.
Legacy’s victory capped off a stellar season with a 26–8 overall record and a perfect 12–0 mark in the Eastern League. It also marked the first Division I title for any sport in school history.
Katelen Pedroza – CIF LA CITY 24-Player of the Year Photo Sara Medina
“We became a team along the way—every player had each other’s back,” said senior standout Katelen Pedroza. “Garfield was a tough opponent. We played them twice in the season, and both teams know each other well.”
A Title Years in the Making
Legacy had come close before, finishing as Division I runner-up in 2022 and Division II runner-up in 2019. They also dominated the Eastern League, winning titles in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
This year’s championship run included playoff wins over Arleta (12–2), San Fernando (4–0), and defending champions Garfield (7–3), before blanking POLA in the finals.
Head coach Vince Gonzales, named Division I Coach of the Year, praised the team’s resilience. “Their names will be remembered forever—they put in the work.”
Stars on the Field
Freshman pitcher Savanah Medina was a force throughout the playoffs, tossing two shutouts and allowing just two hits while striking out 16 against San Fernando. She hasn’t issued more than two walks in 16 straight outings.
Medina also contributed at the plate, batting .379 with a 1.12 ERA and holding opponents to a .180 average. Her sister, Isabella Medina, earned All-City honors at first base with a .333 average, 27 RBIs, five triples, and eight doubles.
Catcher Natalie Gonzalez homered in the title game and was one of four players with two hits, alongside Pedroza, Dail Dorado, and Priscilla Medina. Gonzalez was named All-City Section at her position.
Pedroza, the heart of the team, batted .436 with 37 RBIs and 18 doubles. Her standout season earned her the Division I Player of the Year title. She has drawn national attention, securing scholarships from Olympic gold medalists Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley.
“As a freshman, she took the Eastern League by storm. She’s been great all four years,” said Coach Gonzales.
Building a Legacy
Many of the team members play year-round with the Punishers travel ball team and in Major League Baseball’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program, founded by the late John Young.
Assistant coach Jannell Dominguez, who led the JV team to back-to-back Cynthia Gilbert titles in 2024 and 2025, played a key role in preparing players for high-pressure situations. Cynthia and Dennis Gilbert are major supporters of the RBI program, with Southwest College’s field named in Dennis’s honor.
“RBI helped us out a lot. Being involved in competition helps our players improve,” added Gonzales.
The team’s Instagram page shared a heartfelt message: “Thank you to our families, friends, alumni, teachers, principals, and our Athletic Director for believing in us and standing by us every step of the way. Your support means the world.”
