top of page
Writer's pictureJ. Ray Dockter

Bishop Manogue Softball/Baseball Preview

SOFTBALL

Head Coach: Chris King, 2nd Season as Varsity HC at Bishop Manogue


Last season’s record: 6-16 Overall, 4-12 League. Seventh in the Northern 5A.


Key Losses: Avery Marren, and Lily Foster.


Overview: The Miners come into the 2023-24 season with high expectations after last season’s learning experiences. Coach King and his staff had nine of their thirteen roster spots (last year) filled by girls in the class of 2025 and 2026. Coach King has said that the youth infusion of last year was by design and that his squad should be much more competitive this season. I couldn’t agree more with Coach King as he brings back 84% of his roster from last season and also has a former First Team All-Region Pitcher waiting in the wings as a transfer this season. Look out for The Miners as they attempt to strike gold with their young roster this season.


What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – Tough outs top to bottom. Mixture of speed and power.

Defense – I really like what we have going for us on D. Sophomore heavy, but tons of experience in travel ball.

Pitching – New arms for us in the circle this year. Should be fun to see how they perform at this level.


Returning starters for the 2024 season – 8.


What is the key to growing/maintaining your program? It starts and ends with our culture and wanting to play for the girls wearing the jersey. If they learn to play for each other, everything will fall into place.


What is different or special about your team this season in comparison to years past? We have one more year of experience under our belts. Last year we started six Freshman on opening day and those girls have grown both physically and mentally. We’re still very young, but I’m very excited to see where this program is headed.


Players to watch this season:

Sophomore Kiki Harris, League stats – .434 Batting Average, 23 Hits, 4 Doubles, 2 Triples, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs.


Sophomore Averie Stephans, League stats – .487 Batting Average, 19 Hits, 5 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 HR, 6 RBIs.


Senior Lacey Grimes, League stats – .548 Batting Average, 23 Hits, 3 Doubles, 1 Triple, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs.


Senior Audrey Sheldon


League schedule:

3/16 vs. Douglas (Doubleheader)

3/21 vs. Reed

3/23 at Spanish Springs (Doubleheader)

4/11 vs. Carson

4/13 vs. McQueen (Doubleheader)

4/16 at Galena

4/18 vs. Galena

4/20 at Reno (Doubleheader)

4/25 at Reed

4/27 vs. Damonte Ranch (Doubleheader)

4/30 at Carson

5/2 at Galena


BASEBALL

Head Coach: Charles Oppio, 32nd Season as Varsity HC at Bishop Manogue.


Last season’s record: 27-9 Overall, 13-3 League. 5A Northern Regional Champions.


Key Losses: Sam Kane, Joey Scolari, Aiden Brouhard, Tanner Hail, Aidan Long, and Connor Prahm


Overview: Bishop Manogue begins the 2024 campaign as ‘The Kings of The Hill’ after sweeping the 5A Northern Regional regular season and tournament championships last season. The Miners run to the regional championship during the playoffs was impressive as they went 4-0 outscoring their opponents 38-1 in the process with great hitting, timely defense and accurate pitching. Coach Oppio has reloaded his roster for this season and will most certainly add to his 741 career victories (which has him ranked 77th in victories for active coaches heading into) this season. Coach Oppio will look to his quartet of returning seniors (Takeo Cervantez, Jaxsyn Durst, Preston Travers, and Holden Rowan) to lead his squad back to postseason success this season. The Miners are setup for success this season and into the future as they also have multiple underclassmen that they expect to contribute in a major way this season. The question is ‘Can anyone take the Miners off their perch as the Gold Standard in Northern Nevada?’


What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – Work counts, get on base. 

Defense – Very solid defense.

Pitching – Young but talented pitching staff.


Returning starters for the 2024 season – 3 Position Players, 7 Pitchers.


What is the key to growing/maintaining your program? Strong prep team, weightlifting. 


What is different or special about your team this season in comparison to years past? Very young team.


Top 4 Seniors to watch this season:

Senior Takeo Cervantez, RHP/C/INF – Nevada commit was named Pitcher of The Year by the area’s coaches last season.


Senior Jaxsyn Durst, OF/LHP – College of Southern Idaho commit is primed for a big-time senior season. He could challenge for Player of the Year honors when the season is completed.


Senior Preston Travers, RHP/OF and Senior Holden Rowan, 1B

Impact players to watch:


Juniors Blaise Czyz, IF/RHP; Rylan Martyka, OF/RHP; and Dalton Pingree, IF/RHP.

Sophomores Keenan Dolan (currently running his fastball up over 90+ MPH, and developing his slider and changeup), RHP/Utility; Wade Huntsman, Utility/P; and Nate Lemieux, Utility/RHP.


Freshman Kyle Glenn, IF and Cinco Guillen, Utility.


League Schedule:

3/12 vs. Reed

3/14 at McQueen

3/16 vs. McQueen

3/21 at Reno

4/2 at Douglas

4/4 vs. Douglas

4/9 vs. Damonte Ranch

4/11 at Spanish Springs

4/13 at Carson

4/16 at Reed

4/18 vs. Reno

4/20 vs. Galena

4/25 at Galena

4/27 at Damonte Ranch

4/30 vs. Spanish Springs

5/1 vs. Carson

242 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page