Reno Huskies Softball and Baseball Season Preview

Reno Softball

Head Coach: Brian La Torre, 2^nd Season as Varsity HC at Reno HS

Previous Season Record: 1-27 overall, 0-16 league

Overview: The Reno Huskies softball team enters the 2025-26 season determined to turn the page after a difficult campaign that saw them win just one game all of last season. With a renewed mindset and increased offseason focus, The Huskies are working to reset expectations and build a more competitive identity. The goal this spring is simple, The Huskies must stay competitive, grow each game and begin steering the program back in the right direction.

Offensively, The Huskies are emphasizing a competitive, disciplined, and aggressive approach at the plate. The focus has been on quality at-bats, putting the ball in play, and applying pressure on opposing defenses whenever opportunities arise. By staying aggressive while maintaining discipline, the lineup hopes to generate more consistent scoring chances.

Defensively, The Huskies are concentrating on sound, fundamental plays across the field. Making routine plays and limiting mistakes will be key as The Huskies work to stay in games. In the circle, a pitching staff with more experience will be counted on to lead the way, bringing the ability to read situations and demonstrate a high level of softball IQ in key moments this spring.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – Competitive, disciplined at the plate, aggressive on the basepaths.

Defense – Sound, communicative and fundamental.

Pitching – A pitching staff with more experience and opportunity for growth.

Returners for the 2026 season – 8, including pitchers and positional players.

What is the key to your team’s success this season? Pitching improvements and demonstrating high softball IQ in game situations.

Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North? Spanish Springs, Reed, Douglas and Bishop Manogue.

Players to watch:

Senior Zia Stege, 1B/OF

Senior Emily Gleason, C/Middle Infield

Senior Ash Long, P/2B/OF

Junior Amelia Weiss, 2B/SS/OF

Sophomore Ries Maxwell, OF

Newcomer to watch:

Freshman Saia Loney, Utility – Plays multiple positions.

League Schedule:

2/27 at North Valleys

3/3 vs. Douglas

3/5 at Douglas

3/10 vs. Bishop Manogue

3/12 at Carson

3/14 vs. Carson

3/17 vs. Damonte Ranch

3/31 at Damonte Ranch

4/7 vs. Reed

4/9 at Bishop Manogue

4/11 at Reed

4/14 vs. Spanish Springs

4/16 at Spanish Springs

4/18 at North Valleys

4/21 vs. North Valleys

4/25 at Galena

4/28 vs. Galena

4/30 at McQueen

5/2 vs. McQueen

Reno Huskies Baseball

Head Coach: Pete Savage, 32^nd Season as Varsity HC at Reno HS

Previous Season Record: 27-15 overall, 12-4 league

Overview: Coach Savage (876 career victories) and The Reno Huskies Baseball team enter The 2025-26 season with confidence in a roster capable of producing a well-balanced offensive attack. The Huskies lineup features a mix of power, speed, and execution, giving the team multiple ways to generate runs. By combining aggressive base running with situational hitting, the Huskies hope to consistently create scoring opportunities throughout the season.

Defensively, the Huskies focus will be on playing with a tough-minded approach across the field. The team will emphasize making routine plays, staying disciplined, and competing on every ball in between the lines. That defensive mindset is expected to help the Huskies limit mistakes and support the pitching staff in key moments.

On the mound, The Huskies believe they have the pitching to compete for league, regional and state championships and I’ll admit they have arms for days with a strong balance of left-handers and right-handers. The Huskies pitching staff will look to keep hitters off balance while consistently throwing strikes, giving the team flexibility depending on matchups and game situations. With depth on the mound and a determined defensive approach, The Huskies expect to stay competitive throughout the spring. Without further ado, here are Coach Savage’s answers to the questions we asked him last month.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense – We will have a Balanced Offensive Attack of Power, Speed, and Execution.

Defense – We will be Tough Minded with Efficient Defensive Execution.

Pitching – Good Balance of Left Handed and Right Handed Pitchers. [The goal is to] Throw Strikes, Change Speeds, and Upset [Opposing] Hitter's Timing.

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

What is the key to your team’s success this season? Building Team Unity, [Having] Efficient Practices, and Game Execution.

Players to watch:

Junior Braden Jones, IF/RHP – Jones, The UCLA Commit, is a consensus Top Five Player in The State of Nevada for The ’27s. He has legit power and speed offensively but he also doubles as a middle infielder and RHP. He’s on the short list of players who have a legitimate chance at being The Area’s Player of The Year this spring.

Senior Rex Edwards, LHP/OF – Edwards, a Senior now, will be The Huskies No. 1 LHP this spring and he’ll be a tough draw for all the teams that face him. He has legit next level potential. Coaches would be wise to get on him sooner rather than later.

Senior Logan Daforno, RHP/IF – Daforno will be another arm The Huskies will rely on this season. He’s a slick fielding infielder who also gets it done at the plate.

Junior Troy Riley, LHP – Riley, The Oregon State Commit, is a consensus Top Four Player in The State of Nevada in The Class of 2027 who returns for his Junior year after completing two seasons on Varsity as an Underclassmen. He has dominated since his Freshman season when he was named “Relief Pitcher of The Year.” Don’t be surprised if he challenges for Pitcher of The Year this season.

Junior Jackson Mathews, RHP/OF – Mathews, a Junior, will patrol the outfield on days he’s not a part of the pitching rotation.

Senior Wilson Thomton, C – Thomton is the latest in a long line of Huskies who have played behind ‘The Dish’ for Coach Pete Savage. He’s a smart player whose tough as nails.

Seniors to keep an eye on include, but are not limited to: Zach Irvin, LHP; and Branson Etnyre, C/OF.

Juniors to keep an eye on include, but are not limited to: Nathan Chick, RHP/OF; Thaddeus Kuszmaul, RHP; Colin Sala, RHP/IF; and Sawyer Sala, RHP/Utility.

Sophomores to keep an eye on include, but are not limited to: Kyle Davies, RHP; and Chase Helmholz, IF/OF.

Newcomers to watch as identified by The Reno HS Coaching Staff:

Sophomore Daniel Dicante, IF/RHP; and Sophomore Danny Keshishian, RHP.

League Schedule:

3/10 at North Valleys

3/12 vs. Damonte Ranch

3/14 vs. Galena

3/16 at Carson

4/1 vs. Douglas

4/2 at Spanish Springs

4/4 at McQueen

4/7 at Reed

4/9 vs. Bishop Manogue

4/11 at Damonte Ranch

4/14 at Galena

4/16 vs. Carson

4/18 vs. North Valleys

4/21 at Douglas

4/23 vs. Spanish Springs

4/25 vs. McQueen

4/28 vs. Reed

4/29 at Bishop Manogue