FRESNO – As it so happens, the last game of the 2025 softball season was a star-studded affair filled with plenty of pageantry, tradition and fun.
For the last time in their amateur careers, several of the best players in Fresno County and within the Mid Valley Times region smeared on the eye black and laced up their cleats for a little fun at the 43rd City/County All-Star Softball Game at Margie Wright Diamond on June 18. Reedley College softball head coach Stefani Nomura and her staff led the County squad against the City squad, coached by Fresno City College head coach Linda Garza.
Orange Cove’s Maddy Powers, Fowler’s Alexis Alvarado, Immanuel’s Amanda Herrera, Reedley High’s Kristyn Gordon, Sanger’s Amber Estrada and Sanger West’s Mia Arriola headlined a stacked County team. Kingsburg’s Alyanna Gonzalez and Reygan Jones earned recognition on the City’s team.
In this game, rivalries didn’t matter, but plenty of pride was on the line as the County team had strutted off the diamond with victories in the last four contests. The sparse crowd in attendance on the hot early evening witnessed the County All-Stars defeat the City All-Stars 9-8 in an extra innings thriller. Fowler’s Alexis Alvarado ended the back-and-forth game by driving in the winning run in extra innings.
Clovis East’s Ali Fierro of the County team was named MVP after her clutch, 2 out single drove home two runs to tie the game in the 8th inning.
The County’s nail-biting victory against the City team keeps the streak alive and the pride intact.
The pregame ceremonies included a special recognition of former Central California Blood Center CEO and President Dean Eller, who has been an ardent supporter of softball in the Central Valley. Eller, who was joined by his family, threw out the first pitch to commemorate the special game and moment.
