Damonte Ranch Mustangs Softball and Baseball Preview

Damonte Ranch Mustangs – Softball

Head Coach: Brianne McGowan-Durfee, 1^st Season as Varsity HC at Damonte Ranch

Previous Season Record: 10-17 overall, 6-10 league

Overview: The Damonte Ranch Mustangs softball team enters the upcoming season with a renewed sense of excitement and momentum following the hiring of new head coach Brianne McGowan-Durfee, who is arguably the best and most accomplished high school softball player to have ever played in Northern Nevada. Her arrival has energized the program and brought a fresh perspective to the team as players and coaches begin building toward the season together. With a focus on growth and development, the team is embracing the opportunity to improve each day and establish a strong foundation for success.

Seven returning starters give the team valuable experience and continuity as they take the field this spring. That familiarity is expected to help the group grow together while learning a new system under the new coaching staff. Emphasis throughout the preseason has been on building trust among teammates and coaches, working smart during practices and games, while also staying consistent in both preparation and performance.

Coach McGowan-Durfee has already made an impact by bringing positive energy to every situation and setting a tone of accountability and teamwork. The program’s focus on effort, smart preparation, and consistent play is expected to shape the team’s identity throughout the season. As the players continue building trust and confidence in one another, The Mustangs are hopeful that the combination of experience and renewed enthusiasm will translate into a strong and competitive season. Without further ado, here are the answers to the questions that we asked Coach McGowan-Durfee last month.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – I’m still getting to know our team and learning everyone’s strengths, so it’s [a little] early to say exactly what our offense will look like. I’m excited to see how our players develop, find their rhythm at the plate, and bring energy to every game.

Defense – I’m excited to see our communication and teamwork grow, and to watch us improve and make some solid plays together. We’re still learning the ins and outs of our lineup, but I love the energy on the field.

Pitching – We’re counting on our pitchers to work smart, stay consistent, and I am really excited to see them grow this year.

Returners for the 2026 season – 7, including pitchers and positional players.

What is the key to your team’s success this season? The keys to our success this year will be teamwork, communication, and consistency. As a new coach, I’m still learning the strengths of our players, so building trust on the field is crucial. If we stay focused on fundamentals, support each other, and continue improving every day, I believe we can have a strong, competitive season.

Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North? At this point, it’s still early in the season, and I’m focused on learning our own team and how we match up. Every team in the league will have its strengths, and I expect we’ll see some tough competition throughout the year.

Newcomers you are excited about: We are really excited about a couple of our freshmen, Reese Matter and Stella Mares, who have already made a strong impression early on. Both players have shown strong potential offensively and defensively; and we are looking forward to watching their growth and the impact they can make for our program moving forward.

Players to watch:

Senior Bella Mamola, OF/Utility – Mamola enters her third season on Varsity for The Mustangs having previously shown that she is a great contact hitter, a gold glove-like fielder and has speed on the bases. She’ll look to get in a rhythm in the early part of the season so that she can pick up where she left off as an underclassmen. She has next level ability and should get some looks this coming season.

Senior Samantha Peterson, Utility – Peterson is back for another year for the Mustangs as she was highlighted by the previous staff as a “Player to watch,” my thought is that she is gearing up for a breakout season.

Senior Isabela Valdez, Utility – Valdez, who batted .362 on 25 hits last season, returns for The Mustangs this season and will be looked upon for her Senior Leadership to bring Damonte Ranch closer this season on the field and off.

Senior Madeline Wackowski, Catcher – Wackowski enters her third season as The Mustangs starting catcher and will once again be a favorite to be on The All League Team once the season ends.

League Schedule:

2/28 vs. McQueen

3/3 at North Valleys

3/5 vs. North Valleys

3/7 vs. Spanish Springs

3/10 at Spanish Springs

3/12 at McQueen

3/14 vs. McQueen

3/17 at Reno

3/31 vs. Reno

4/7 vs. Bishop Manogue

4/11 at Bishop Manogue

4/14 at Douglas

4/16 vs. Douglas

4/18 vs. Carson

4/21 at Carson

4/25 at Reed

4/28 vs. Reed

4/30 vs. Galena

5/2 at Galena

Damonte Ranch Mustangs – Baseball

Head Coach: Pat Flury, 2^nd Season as Varsity HC at Damonte Ranch

Previous Season Record: 5-19 overall, 3-13 league

Overview: After back-to-back down season, The Mustangs baseball team enters this spring looking to return to the level of success that they enjoyed three seasons ago. With experience returning across the roster and a dedication to an offseason of preparation, the ‘Stangs are expecting to compete at a high level this spring. The group brings a mix of veteran leadership and developing talent, creating optimism that the program can once again be among the top contenders in the region.

Returning six players from last season’s roster, including four seniors who will provide leadership both on and off the field. Their experience will be critical in guiding a younger group through the challenges of a long season. These starters will bring familiarity as this is their second season in the same system and they know the expectations; their coaching staff will expect them to execute more consistently and compete in key moments.

At the plate, The Mustangs are expected to feature significant power in the middle of the lineup, giving their offense the potential to produce runs in bunches. That combination of experience and power will once again be guided by head coach Pat Flury, who brings a wealth of knowledge from his time playing professional baseball. His background and leadership, coupled with his continuity and familiarity with the program will continue to shape the program’s culture and development, as the team looks to build momentum and make a strong push throughout the season.

What can we expect from your team this season? (2025 answers)

Offense – We are fast and have power in the middle of the lineup.

Defense – We are very athletic.

Pitching – Our pitchers will pound the zone with all pitches.

Returning starters for the 2026 season – 6, including multiple players who will play the field and pitch. (From my research)

What is the key to Damonte Ranch’s success this season? I wouldn’t be surprised if The Mustangs finish in the top half of the league this season as they bring back some key players from last seasons squad.

Players to watch:

Senior Matt Bonczyk, LHP/OF – Bonczyk is a Prep Baseball Report West Coast Games participant who has very good measurables for a player his size. He’ll be one of the Mustangs Top Three Pitchers this season.

Senior Matt Schreiner, Catcher – Look for Schreiner to make his mark this season for The Mustangs – he has a bright future to say the least.

Senior Jake Wigfield, Infield – Another 2026 playmaker for The Mustangs, Wigfield will look to make his mark defensively as the Mustangs look to cut down on runs allowed this season.

Seniors Nick Armstong, P/IF; Jared Hulbert, RHP; Codi Mateo, P/IF and Kolten Matter, P will all be looked upon to perform double duty for The Mustangs this season as they are a part of Damonte’s loaded 2026 class that is versatile on the diamond.

Also, be on the lookout for a trio of Freshman who will look to make their mark for the Mustangs this season. They are Jack McDaniel, IF/RHP; Miah Milan, IF/RHP; and Donovan Tolotti, Infielder.

League Schedule:

3/12 at Reno

3/14 vs. Douglas

3/17 vs. Spanish Springs

3/19 at Carson

3/20 at Galena

3/31 vs. Reed

4/2 at Galena

4/4 at North Valleys

4/7 at Bishop Manogue

4/9 vs. McQueen

4/11 vs. Reno

4/14 at Douglas

4/16 at Spanish Springs

4/18 vs. Carson

4/21 at Reed

4/23 vs. Galena

4/25 vs. North Valleys

4/28 vs. Bishop Manogue

4/29 at McQueen