SOFTBALL
Head Coach: Jon Wunder, 14th Season as Varsity HC at Reed
Last season’s record: 25-13-2 Overall, 12-4 League. Regional Runner Ups and 3rd Place at State Tournament.
Key Losses: Karolyn Glover, Payton Jones, Boston Horning, Kaylie Carey, Kali Erck, and Guadalupe Garcia.
Overview: As I continued to work through the overviews for these previews, I was in awe of the fact that we have so much talent on the softball diamonds in Northern Nevada. Another program that has benefited from consistency at the top spot for over a decade is the Reed Raiders. Coach Wunder and his staff do a tremendous job of developing the talent that they have at Reed. Not to be lost by this talent development is the tenacity with which Wunder’s teams play. When you watch a Reed softball game one thing is for sure you are in for a dogfight every single pitch because they don’t need time to get up to speed they are already flying around the base paths trying to beat up on their opponents. I think this squad has the best chance at dethroning the reigning state champs out in Minden. Their league games will be highly competitive affairs to say the least.
What can we expect from your team this season?
Offense – We lost one of our top offensive players to graduation, however we have most of our starting lineup returning with a couple of new additions. We will have speed and power throughout the lineup. We will always play aggressive.
Defense – Same thing, we have most of our starting lineup returning, however we must fill in at shortstop and at the catching positions. [Overall] I think we will have the kids to do just that.
Pitching – We have both of our pitchers returning from last season so we will rely on their experience, while working in two new additions to the team.
Returning starters for the 2024 season –
Players to watch this season:
Breanna Staats, Sophomore Outfielder, Breanna was a 1st Team All-Region Selection
Hayley Noble, Sophomore P/3B, Hayley was 1st Team All-Region Selection
Gaby Torres, Senior Outfielder, Gaby has been a four year varsity starter
League schedule:
3/16 at Galena (Doubleheader)
3/19 at McQueen
3/21 at Bishop Manogue
4/11 at Reno
4/13 vs. Douglas (Doubleheader)
4/20 at Damonte Ranch (Doubleheader)
4/22 at McQueen
4/23 at Carson (Doubleheader)
4/25 vs. Bishop Manogue
4/30 vs. Reno
5/2 vs. McQueen
5/4 vs. Spanish Springs (Doubleheader)
BASEBALL
Head Coach: Levi Matherly, 8th Season as Varsity HC at Reed HS. 22nd Season Overall.
Last season’s record: 8-25 Overall, 3-13 League. Third place finish in Northern Regionals.
Key Losses: None
Overview: Can we really call this team a sleeper headed into this season? I mean, come on, all things equal they defeated Reno HS last season in a game that was played under the lights of Peccole Park and then went on a once-in-a-lifetime run during the playoffs. During that run they ended their crosstown rivals (Spanish Springs) season, ended Reno’s northern domination and also shut the door on the McQueen Lancers season before ultimately succumbing to the buzzsaw that was the Damonte Ranch Mustangs. I’d like to sit here and tell you I was surprised by the Raiders last season, but for all intents and purposes I think they underachieved until the end of the season. I believe that that run to end last season will serve as a springboard towards a great season for the Baring Blvd. Boys as they seem primed to run the ‘Hard 90’ and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them celebrating success at the end of the season.
What can we expect from your team this season?
Offense – Our offensive focus is to compete every pitch and work the count in our favor to get on base. We will rely on multiple players to get on base and set the table for the hitters behind them to produce runs.
Defense – Our program takes pride in working on individual and team defense fundamentals and communication. This year, we have a bunch of seniors who have been together for a few years and will rely on their experience to be successful.
Pitching – Pitch counts have forced staffs to be more complete and deeper overall. We return a bunch of experienced pitchers from last year’s team and expect to rely on these arms throughout the season with the ability to compete in each game.
Returning starters for the 2024 season – 6, four position players and two starting pitchers.
What is the key to growing/maintaining your program? Our program focuses on creating relationships between our players, coaches, school, and community. We provide multiple opportunities for our players to improve both on the field and in the classroom. Our players have shown a great deal of dedication to each other throughout the summer, fall, and winter [dedicated] to improving each other and our program. These relationships on and off the field have led to our program growing over the past few years. Having former players come back and talk to our program has also been key.
What is different or special about your team this season in comparison to years past? Our team this year will feature 12 seniors, many of which have been on varsity for the past three years. This year’s team has worked to build on the 3rd place finish in the Northern Regional Tournament last year.
Players to watch this season:
Junior Nico Leonard, C – Leonard enters his third season on varsity. He had 27 hits and batted .300 last season to go along with two home runs and 16 RBIs. He is one of the sparkplugs of the Raiders offense and captains them defensively behind the dish. He earned All-League honors last season and will be expected to have continued success this season.
Senior Tyler Ramelli, RHP – Ramelli begins his fourth season on varsity and looks to pick up where he left off at the end of last season. “His experience and leadership on the mound is fun to watch and our program expects big things from Tyler this year” said Coach Matherly. Ramelli was also responsible for 63 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched last season which contributed to three wins and a 2.70 ERA.
Senior Tyson Leone, 3B – Leone, like Ramelli, enters his fourth season on varsity and will draw on his experience to help lead the Raiders offense. Tyson is considered a “leader on and off the field and our team looks to him to lead us in a positive direction,” said Matherly. Leone ended last season with a .295 batting average, 18 hits, three home runs and 13 RBIs.
Additional Impact Players:
Senior Koufax Cranmer, RHP – Committed to Dominican University (Calif.)
Seniors Dawson Loudenberg, RHP; Bradley Stoner and Andrew Moore, along with
Sophomore Bailey Moss, INF.
League Schedule:
3/12 at Bishop Manogue
3/14 at Carson
3/16 vs. Carson
3/19 at Damonte Ranch
3/21 vs. Spanish Springs
4/2 at Galena
4/4 vs. Galena
4/11 vs. Douglas
4/13 at McQueen
4/16 vs. Bishop Manogue
4/18 at Spanish Springs
4/20 vs. Reno
4/23 vs. Damonte Ranch
4/25 vs. Reno
4/30 at Douglas
5/1 vs. McQueen
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