Reed Raiders Softball and Baseball Season Preview

Reed Raiders Softball

Head Coach: Jon Wunder, 16^th Season as Varsity HC at Reed

Previous Season Record: 29-9 overall, 14-2 league

Overview: The Reed Raiders softball team enters the 2025-26 season looking to finish the job. Thanks to a core of returning players who bring a balanced offensive approach to the lineup The Raiders provide a mis of contact, power and speed; giving them multiple ways to generate runs. With experienced players all over the diamond, they will be expected to set the tone. Coach Wunder and his staff believe the offense has the potential to consistently put pressure on opposing defenses.

Defensively, The Raiders expect to be strong across the diamond, emphasizing fundamentals and making routine plays. By limiting mistakes and supporting the pitching staff, the Raiders defense hopes to provide stability in close games and keep them in position to compete throughout their schedule.

In the circle, The Raiders pitching staff will be led by two returning veterans who bring valuable experience, along with an up-and-coming freshman who is expected to make an early impact. Reed’s coaching staff believes that combination of experience and youth will provide consistency and depth as the season progresses. The message from Coach Wunder is simple: “Control the things we can control and don’t worry about other teams.”

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – We lost three seniors to graduation; however, we will have some returning players stepping into starting roles, along with some freshmen who should contribute. Our returning players will provide power and speed on the bases.

Defense – Due to graduations, we will have some spots to fill in on defense. We are confident in our returners to fill those positions; our defense should be strong again this season.

Pitching – We are returning two veteran pitchers, in addition to adding a freshman. Our pitching should be our strength this season.

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

What is the key to your team’s success this season? Playing together as a team. Integrating new kids into the open positions. Control the things that we have control over and not worry[ing] about other teams.

Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North? You have to take every team seriously; if you don't, that is when you will lose a game. On paper, Manogue and Spanish Springs are the teams to beat.

Players to watch:

Senior Hayley Noble, P/3B – Noble is a dual threat for The Raiders as she is one of the area’s best pitchers, but she can also dig in and drop bombs as a hitter in the middle of The Raiders lineup. This team will go as far as her and her fellow seniors take them. They are no strangers to playing in The State Tournament, now they must finish the mission.

Senior Breanna Staats, OF – Staats, the five-foot-one-inch dynamo, has been a Day One starter for The Raiders, and she has not disappointed. The one-time Nevada commit is now headed to Utah State to continue her softball career. She has a chance to go down as one of the greatest players to ever lace ‘em up in Northern Nevada. Entering her Senior year, she has a career batting average of .525 and 179 hits to go along with 85 stolen bases, she should easily finish her career with a career average of over .500 with 200+ hits and 100 stolen bases. Nevada missed out on a great one when they let her slip away.

Senior Lilliana Cervantes, OF – Cervantes is the glue that holds this senior class together for the Raiders. She will be leading from the front for the Ladies of Baring Blvd., and don’t be surprised if she drives in more than a few runs this season for The Raiders along the way.

Junior Britney Taelour, P/Utility – Taelour will be pitching on the days that Noble doesn’t step into the circle. Catch her making plays offensively and defensively for The Raiders otherwise.

League Schedule:

3/3 at Carson

3/5 vs. Carson

3/7 at Galena

3/10 vs. Galena

3/12 vs. North Valleys

3/14 at North Valleys

3/17 at McQueen

3/31 vs. McQueen

4/7 at Reno

4/11 vs. Reno

4/14 at Bishop Manogue

4/16 vs. Bishop Manogue

4/18 at Douglas

4/21 vs. Douglas

4/25 vs. Damonte Ranch

4/28 at Damonte Ranch

4/30 at Spanish Springs

5/2 vs. Spanish Springs

Reed Raiders Baseball

Head Coach: Levi Matherly, 10^th Season as Varsity HC at Reed HS

Previous Season Record: 16-16 overall, 7-9 league

Overview: The Reed Raiders baseball team enters the 2025-26 season with optimism thanks to a roster that brings good varsity experience and familiarity with the pace of high school competition. With several players who have already logged meaningful innings and at-bats, The ‘Boys of Baring Blvd.’ are expected to bring confidence and composure as they look to stay competitive throughout the season.

Offensively, The Raiders hope to be dynamic and aggressive on the base paths, using speed and awareness to pressure opposing defenses. By taking extra bases and forcing mistakes, the Raiders lineup aims to create scoring opportunities and keep constant pressure on opponents during key moments.

On the mound, The Raiders will lean heavily on their two returning All-Region pitchers, Chase Spencer and Ryan Vanek, who are expected to eat innings and provide stability throughout the season and into the playoffs. Behind them, The Raiders ‘D’ features solid playmakers who are well-rounded and capable of moving between multiple positions. That positional versatility should give Coach Matherly and his staff maximum flexibility while helping the team maintain steady, reliable defense across the field.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – This year, we expect our offense to be dynamic and aggressive on the bases. We have implemented some new philosophies and techniques to take advantage of our team strengths this season. We have a good number of players with Varsity experience and will lean on their ability to be productive on offense this season.

Defense – We return five defensive starters this season and will lean on their experience to continue playing solid team defense. We will have some players playing a few different positions as well and will need to continue emphasizing communication to execute on defense.

Pitching – Our pitchers have worked hard this past offseason to continue to improve their craft. We return a First Team Northern Region pitcher Chase Spencer and Second Team Northern Region pitcher Ryan Vanek and will lean on them to carry much of the load this season.

Returning starters for the 2026 season – 5, including pitchers and positional players.

What is the key to your team’s success this season? This season we will need our Senior returners to lead the way. We return a solid group of seniors and will need some new players to fill in and contribute right away.

Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North? Bishop Manogue and Reno.

Players to watch:

Senior Bailey Moss, IF – Bailey returns for his fourth year on varsity and third as our starting shortstop. A Second Team Northern Region player a year ago, we will need him to continue to be the captain of our infield and spark plug on offense.

Senior Chase Spencer, RHP/IF – Chase returns for his third year on varsity and was a First Team Northern Region pitcher a year ago. Chase will play a few different positions this year as well as anchor the middle of our lineup.

Senior Ryan Vanek, LHP/1B – Ryan returns for his second year on varsity and was a Second Team Northern Region Pitcher a year ago. Ryan will hit in the middle of our lineup and play first base when he is not on the mound.

Senior Gage Burns, Infield – Gage returns for his second year on varsity and was named an Honorable Mention Northern Region player a year ago. We will rely on him to anchor third base and hit in the middle of our lineup to help drive in runs.

Sophomore Braxton Liguori, RHP/IF – Braxton joins the varsity as a sophomore and will anchor the middle of our infield. He has developed into a solid player and will make an impact on offense. He was also named as a “newcomer the coaching staff is excited about,” with Coach Matherly stating “Braxton is a sophomore who will step into a starting role this year and we will look for him to help solidify the middle of our lineup and infield.”

Also, don’t be surprised to see Seniors Jacoby Harms, LHP/OF; and Kadin Richharts, LHP/OF make an impact for The Raiders this season. Juniors Jakob Bartelheim, RHP; and Luke Brown, C are two ‘27s that we’ll have an eye on this season as well.

Lastly, Adam Means is a hard-working Junior, who has battled some injuries and has worked tirelessly to get back on the field. Coach Matherly and his staff are excited to see him back in the lineup and helping to contribute this season.

League Schedule:

3/12 vs. Galena

3/14 vs. Bishop Manogue

3/17 at Douglas

3/19 at McQueen

3/31 at Damonte Ranch

4/2 vs. Carson

4/4 at Spanish Springs

4/7 vs. Reno

4/9 at North Valleys

4/11 at Galena

4/14 at Bishop Manogue

4/16 vs. Douglas

4/18 vs. McQueen

4/21 vs. Damonte Ranch

4/23 at Carson

4/25 vs. Spanish Springs

4/28 at Reno

4/29 vs. North Valleys