Softball
Head Coach: Scott Wackowski, 1st Season as Varsity HC at Damonte Ranch
Last season’s record: 14-17 Overall, 9-7 League. Fifth in Northern 5A.
Key Losses: Hollee Jamison, Mimi Toalson, Sofia Mares, and Sammi Boggs.
Overview: Damonte Ranch begins this season after having completed one of their best season’s in school history. The Mustangs have began to build a reputation as a gritty team that likes to do the little things and cause chaos on the base paths. This year should be no different as they welcome back two of the most athletic and fast base runners in all of Northern Nevada. A surprise coaching change during the fall semester has the Mustangs leaning into their continuity that stayed on staff and will produce fruitful results, or so they hope… The Mustangs success this season will depend exclusively on how well they execute from the circle and in the field defensively. If they can limit opposing teams output they should have a bunch of chances to score runs and win games this season.
What can we expect from your team this season?
Offense – Fast, Fast, Fast. We will have a lot of speed and should create havoc on the base paths.
Defense – Our outfield will be among the best in the region and our infield will be led by Senior Hailey Wackowski. We will have to play solid defense as our pitching staff will be very young.
Pitching – We will not be very deep in pitching so our offense and defense will have to support whoever is in the circle.
Returning starters for the 2024 season – 5. We also have a freshmen class that is going to be very competitive in starting roles.
What is the key to growing/maintaining your program? Culture, we will focus on building our JV and Varsity rosters to support each other as well as getting heavily involved in the community leagues. Our focus will be on creating a healthy environment promoting positive culture regardless of wins or losses.
What is different or special about your team this season in comparison to years past? We lost five seniors from last year’s team. That is the biggest difference from a year ago. This will be a young team with a TON of growth potential. [We have a] few incoming freshmen [that] all bring speed into the batting order.
Players to watch this season:
Sophomore Isabella Mamola, OF – Speedy outfielder and dynamic hitter. Isabella had a breakout season last year. She finished up the travel ball season with a hot bat and next level base running. She’s a huge culture piece for us and leads by example, in the dugout and [she’s] crushing it in the classroom. The epitome of an all-around student-athlete.
Junior Olivia Mares, OF – Speedy outfielder/slapper that will have an impact both defensively and offensively. Her travel team won PGF Nationals this past summer and she is playing at a very high level. She should be among the leaders in stolen bases in our region by the end of the season.
Senior Hailey Wackowski, Utility – Will be expected to play a bit of everywhere on defense and is committed to Arizona Christian as a shortstop to continue her playing career in college. She is as steady as they come in the field and an amazing catcher, as well as shortstop. We look for her and Olivia Mares to be our leaders on the team.
League schedule:
3/21 at Douglas
3/23 vs. McQueen (Doubleheader)
4/11 vs. Spanish Springs
4/13 at Reno (Doubleheader)
4/18 at Carson
4/20 vs. Reed (Doubleheader)
4/25 vs. Douglas
4/27 at Bishop Manogue (Doubleheader)
4/30 at Spanish Springs
5/2 vs. Carson
5/4 at Galena (Doubleheader)
Baseball
Head Coach: Joe Tierney, 1st Season as Varsity HC at Damonte Ranch
Last season’s record: 16-15-1 Overall, 12-4 League. League/Region Runner Ups.
Key Losses: Dylan Rogers, Tanner Millsaps, Austin Schreiner, Michael Deitz, Christian Olson, Justin Robinson, and Jesse Isensee.
Overview: For the first time in Mustangs history they will begin this season with a new skipper as Jon Polson retired after 21 seasons at the helm, upon the conclusion of last season. Polson’s final season was one to remember as he led the Mustangs to the State Tournament on the backs of a superb senior class including Dylan Rogers, Tanner Millsaps, Austin Schreiner, Michael Deitz, Christian Olson, an Justin Robinson. The Class of ’23 was able to lay a solid foundation for future Mustangs but the job is not finished for the boys of south Reno. They’ll begin this season with heightened expectations in hopes that they can breakthrough and make some noise in the State Tournament this season.
What can we expect from your team this season?
Offense – We want to square up line drives and apply pressure on the defense. Manufacture runs playing team ball.
Defense – We want to play good catch and make the routine plays for outs while maintaining good communication throughout the entire game.
Pitching – We want to fill up the zone and pitch to contact. We want to allow little to no free passes in a game.
Returning starters for the 2024 season – 10 Seniors including 8 Position Players and 7 Pitchers.
What is the key to growing/maintaining your program? Through “dedication” and “hard work,” and the “want to win” in all aspects of life.
What is different or special about your team this season in comparison to years past? No answer given.
Players to watch this season:
Senior Wes Meyer, C/P
Senior Danny Hulbert, SS/P
Senior Luke Glass, INF/P
Also look out for… Seniors Darius Miller, OF/RHP; Ben Davalos, RHP; and Landon Cholico, 1B/LHP. Junior Utilityman Eric Hafley and Sophomore OF Codi Mateo will be looked upon to steer the Mustangs this season.
League Schedule:
3/19 vs. Reed
3/21 at Douglas
4/4 vs. Spanish Springs
4/6 at Spanish Springs
4/9 at Bishop Manogue
4/11 at Reno
4/16 at McQueen
4/18 vs. Douglas
4/20 vs. Carson
4/23 at Reed
4/25 at Carson
4/27 vs. Bishop Manogue
4/30 vs. Reno
Comments