Douglas Tigers Softball and Baseball Preview

Douglas Tigers Softball

Head Coach: Allison Meyer, 2^nd Season as Varsity HC at Douglas

Previous Season Record: 23-10 overall, 12-4 league

Overview: The Douglas Tigers softball team enters the upcoming season with a strong foundation after returning six starters from last year’s squad. That experience provides a solid base as the team looks to build on progress made a season ago. With a group that has played together and understands expectations, the focus heading into the spring has been on continuing to develop chemistry while competing at a high level throughout the schedule.

Offensively, the Tigers are expected to feature a consistent and solid lineup capable of producing runs throughout the order. With several returning players who bring experience at the plate, the coaching staff is hopeful the group can maintain steady offensive production and create scoring opportunities in key moments. The emphasis has been on disciplined at-bats and putting pressure on opposing defenses.

Defensively, the Tigers are working toward becoming a reliable unit on the field, focusing on making routine plays and limiting mistakes. In the circle, the pitching staff is expected to provide both consistency and flexibility, giving the team multiple options depending on matchups and game situations. With experienced players returning and a commitmentto steady improvement, the Tigers are aiming to put together a competitive and well-balanced season. Without further ado, here are Coach Meyer's answers to the questions we asked her last month.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – Offensively you can expect consistency from our hitters with a solid lineup.

Defense – Defensively we are ready to back up our pitchers. We have worked hard and continue to work at a reliable defense.

Pitching – Our pitchers are working at consistency and minimizing walks. You can expect flexibility from our pitching staff.

Returners for the 2026 season – 6, including pitchers and positional players.

What is the key to your team’s success this season? Consistent defense and reliable bats.

Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North? Any team can beat anyone at any time; we have to approach each game this season ready for a challenge.

Players to watch:

Senior Peyton Simpson – Simpson batted .483 with 14 hits and 10 RBIs last season. I’d expect her production to double this season.

Senior Cam Coats – Coats batted .311 last season while being responsible for 32 hits and 27 RBIs. If she can replicate that production this season she’ll be and All League selection come seasons end.

Junior Kira Northcutt – Identified by the coaching staff as a “newcomer that they are excited about” Northcutt will lead the Tigers Junior class this season.

Sophomore Ida Martin – Batted .337 with 29 hits and 17 RBIs as a Freshman last spring.

Sophomore Hailee Lister – Batted .337 with 30 hits and 17 RBIs as a Freshman last spring.

Sophomore Jayda Yarrow – Batted .273 with three hits and 4 RBIs last spring.

League Schedule:

3/3 at Reno

3/5 vs. Reno

3/7 vs. McQueen

3/10 at McQueen

3/12 vs. Bishop Manogue

3/14 at Bishop Manogue

3/17 vs. Galena

3/31 at Galena

4/7 at Spanish Springs

4/9 vs. Spanish Springs

4/14 vs. Damonte Ranch

4/16 at Damonte Ranch

4/18 vs. Reed

4/21 at Reed

4/25 at North Valleys

4/28 vs. North Valleys

4/30 at Carson

5/2 vs. Carson

Douglas Tigers Baseball

Head Coach: Jim Tucker, 3^rd Season as Varsity HC at Douglas HS

Previous Season Record: 10-18 overall, 6-10 league

Overview: The Douglas Tigers baseball team enters the new season focused on staying competitive and continuing to build momentum under third-year head coach Jim Tucker. As the program continues to develop their identity, the emphasis has been on strengthening team chemistry and reinforcing a culture that values accountability, effort and steady daily improvement. With players becoming more familiar with the expectations of the program, the coaching staff believes this group of Tigers are positioned to compete throughout the season.

Offensively, the Tigers are eager to generate more runs through improved base running and smarter situational play. Emphasis during the preseason has been on taking advantage of opportunities on the bases, creating more pressure on opposing defenses, and turning small advantages into scoring chances. By focusing on aggressive but disciplined base running, the Tigers hope to consistently put runners in scoring position and produce runs in a variety of ways.

On the mound, a group of senior pitchers will be expected to lead the way by eating innings and providing stability throughout the season. Defensively, the roster features several players capable of moving between multiple positions, giving the coaching staff valuable flexibility when setting the lineup. That combination of experienced pitching and positional versatility should help the team stay competitive while continuing to strengthen the chemistry and culture that has developed under Coach Jim Tucker. Without further ado here are Coach Tucker's answers to the questions that we asked him last month.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – Offensively we are hoping to generate runs by improving our baserunning, plate discipline, and offensive execution. We are hoping to have our lineup on board with generating runs over individual performance.

Defense – We are excited for practices and games because depth at each position should be an asset for us. Most guys on the team can play more than one position which can create several opportunities for them to find playing time!

Pitching – We are going to rely on our small senior class, just three, to handle the bulk of our innings as starters or multiple inning roles along with a sold junior class that will be fighting for innings.

Returning starters for the 2026 season – 6, including multiple players who will play the field and pitch.

What is the key to your team’s success this season? The key to success for Douglas Baseball in 2026 is going to come down to our team's chemistry and culture. If our group can stick together and face challenges together, like they have through the off-season, we should be competitive.

Players to watch:

Senior Titus Gocke, RHP/IF – Gocke, a right handed flamethrower will be the Tigers ace pitcher this season while manning the infield on his “off” days.

Senior Peter Ziegler, P/OF – Another dual threat for the Tigers, Ziegler will man the outfield when he’s not mowing down batters on the bump.

Junior Blaine Bilderback, RHP/OF – Bilderback, one of the top ‘27s in Northern Nevada, is a Prep Baseball Report Future Games and West Coast Games participant who has increased his National profile and will be entering his third season on the Tigers varsity this season.

Junior Brady DesJardins, OF/P – DesJardins is someone who I’d consider an “under the radar” prospect as we enter the 2026 season. Time will tell if he has a break through this spring.

Junior Dylan Natividad, IF/OF – Natividad, the younger brother of Gabe, has flashed big play potential for the Tigers in his first two years in the program. Now that he’s an upperclassmen we’ll see if he can make a big jump this season.

Junior Nolan Paine, OF/P – Paine, a newcomer The Tigers coaching staff is excited about, will begin his Junior season with the ability to make some big plays this spring.

Junior Jared Peters, Utility – Peters is another Tigers player who has seen his older brother have success as his brother Jeffrey was considered one of the area’s best catcher the past few seasons before heading off to CSN to play college baseball.

Junior Aiden Tarlo, IF – Tarlo will be one of the Tigers Junior leaders this season as he looks to take another step forward for the Boys of ‘The County’ nestled up next to The Lake.

Sophomore Brock Tholen, IF/P – Tholen had a great offseason as he was selected to Prep Baseball Report Nevada’s ‘Super Sophomore’ Showcase last summer and fall. He’s an electric ’28 who should draw more than a few crowds wherever he goes.

League Schedule:

3/12 vs. McQueen

3/14 at Damonte Ranch

3/17 vs. Reed

3/19 at Galena

4/1 at Reno

4/2 vs. North Valleys

4/4 vs. Bishop Manogue

4/7 vs. Spanish Springs

4/9 at Carson

4/11 at McQueen

4/14 vs. Damonte Ranch

4/16 at Reed

4/18 vs. Galena

4/21 vs. Reno

4/23 at North Valleys

4/25 at Bishop Manogue

4/28 at Spanish Springs

4/29 at Carson