LA MIRADA — Jennie Finch is proud of the “new normal” at La Mirada High School.
“These girls won’t know any different and that’s what we’ve worked for and the women before me that worked to get what I was able to receive in my career,” Finch said. “The best is yet to come.”
The 1998 alum proudly threw out the first pitch at La Mirada softball’s new “Jennie Finch Field” Thursday night.
“This is a first-class facility,” Finch continued. “It’s beautiful. It’s stunning. Never in a million years would I think that this would be right here in La Mirada.”
La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch with her family as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch hugs her niece, Malaya Majam-Finch as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch (right) talks with Evelyn Hernandez, 7, as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch (right) signs a ball for Eleanor Murrey 7, as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch (right) signs a ball for Everly Campbell, 8, as La Mirada varsity softball is dedicating their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch hugs Athletic Director Christine Mead as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch (right) poses for pictures as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch (right) receives a plaque from Amanda Urbina, left and Angelyna Conde, center, as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch throws out the first pitch as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch throws out the first pitch as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch greets Fullerton players as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Jennie Finch greets Fullerton players as La Mirada varsity softball dedicates their new field to La Mirada softball legend Jennie Finch as La Mirada plays Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada players gather in prayer before their game against Fullerton on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada’s Reese Hilliard (55) hits a home run against Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada’s Reese Hilliard (55) is met by teammates after hitting a two run home run against Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada pitcher Alison Ortega (44) makes a pitch as they play Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada second baseman Alyssa Avila (56) throws out a batter as they play Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada shortstop Amanda Urbina (66) throws a Fullerton batter out at first base during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada shortstop Amanda Urbina (66) throws a Fullerton batter out at first base during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada second baseman Alyssa Avila (56) dives for a ball as they play Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
La Mirada third baseman Angelyna Conde (24) tags out Fullerton’s Hayley Brock (13) during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
It was a special honor for the softball legend, who won a NCAA title in 2001 and an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004, as the school’s new facility, which was named in her honor, was unveiled against Fullerton High, where her niece Malaya Majam-Finch, who is committed to Oklahoma, is a star pitcher.
“It’s truly special,” Finch continued. “I’m so proud of her and I’m just so thankful that this is her reality and going through the recruiting process with her and just to see the opportunities out there is so exciting.”
Amongst her notable accolades, Finch was named the Press-Telegram’s Player of the Year in 1998.
“This is where it all began,” Finch said. “My roots are right here and so I’m just thankful for the amount of teachers and friends and faculty and staff and coaches that have poured into me and my career and others. It’s so much to celebrate to see what is to come and what is here now. It’s beautiful.”
La Mirada softball coach Brent Tuttle said Finch’s legacy is bigger than what she did inside the circle.
“It’s an honor to recognize her and all her accomplishments not just what she did at La Mirada but what she did for the game of softball,” Tuttle said. “I don’t know if there is a bigger face for the game. She made softball cool again in the late 90s early 2000s. I think a lot of these girls wouldn’t be where they’re at, the game wouldn’t be where its at without Jennie Finch.”
La Mirada pitcher Alison Ortega (44) makes a pitch as they play Fullerton during their first home game of the season on Thursday March 13, 2025. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)
Meanwhile, La Mirada shut out Fullerton for a 4-0 victory in the team’s home opener Thursday night. The Matadores improved to 9-3 overall. Sophomore pitcher Alison Ortega threw a complete game and only allowed one hit, while throwing two strikeouts.
“I think that’s something that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life,” La Mirada sophomore catcher Riley Hillard said. “I caught the first pitch. I caught Jennie Finch.”
La Mirada sophomore first baseman Reese Hillard hit a two-run home run, which scored senior shortstop Amanda Urbina (Oregon signee) in the bottom of the third inning.
“My mindset going into the box was I have to get my runner home,” Reese Hillard explained. “I have to produce and make something happen.”
La Mirada added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth when Reese Hillard and junior pinch runner Bettie Mae Acevedo scored on a fielding error.
Fullerton (7-4) was led by Majam-Finch, who only gave up one hit, while throwing five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
“It was a big deal and great honor,” Majam-Finch said. “The ceremony before was beautiful and hearing all of her accolades and all of her accomplishments that she has gained throughout her journey playing softball is really motivating and encouraging, especially going into a big game like this.”
Meanwhile, Fullerton coach Trevor Holton believes Majam-Finch handled the moment well.
“I thought it was the best (Malaya) has pitched all year,” Holton said. “She really changed speeds well. She hit her spots and I can’t imagine the expectation that she had and that’s placed on her. She’s a really good kid, doing a great job.”
Indians junior second baseman Analise Barrios got the team’s only hit, when she single in the fifth.
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