The Cedar Ridge Lady Timberwolves enter the season hoping to build on last year’ s 10 – 13 record while developing a young roster. Head Coach Rebecca Rider believes the team has the potential to compete for a postseason berth if the younger players continue to improve this year. Offensively, Cedar Ridge returns several productive hitters. Sophomore Vada Day will lead off and handle catching duties after batting. 345 last season with two inside-the-park home runs that showcased her speed. Shelby Pankey returns at short and hit. 333 with 13 RBIs last season while providing solid defense up the middle. Junior Lynlee Bruce will hit near the top of the lineup and contribute offensively after batting. 314 with 22 RBIs. In the circle, juniors Reagan Skaggs and Bella Arms will carry the pitching load. Skaggs had an outstanding season last year, striking out 390 batters while featuring a drop ball, curveball, and changeup. She also contributed offensively with a. 486 batting average and 33 RBIs. Arms provides another strong pitching option after recording 250 strikeouts while primarily serving as a reliever last season. Several freshmen will add depth to the roster. Maggie Baxter and Khloe Castillo provide additional pitching options while contributing in the field, and Ashley Kirk and Alyson Wickersham add depth in the outfield. With a young roster but strong offensive potential, the Lady Timberwolves will focus on limiting mental mistakes and continuing to develop as the season progresses.
The Cedar Ridge Timberwolves enjoyed a 24-7 season last year before falling in a heartbreaker to Riverside in the 2A state finals 1-0 in 8 innings. Coach Austin Creamer is hoping to lean on an experienced group to make another run in the postseason. Senior infielder Wesley Horton leads the way for the T-Wolves.“ We are looking for Wesley to be our guy in every phase of the game this year,” Coach Creamer said.“ Wesley is going to be hitting in a top 3 spot in the lineup, playing everywhere in the infield, and maybe picking up some time in the outfield depending on pitching staff on any given day.” Horton hit. 389 last season and will also look to eat up some innings for Cedar Ridge. He posted a 6-2 record last season with 42 strikeouts in 44 innings, only allowing 10 earned runs. Horton has a big arm with an 83 mph fastball and a good change up. His battery mate, senior Cadyn Stephens will handle the catching duties.“ We are looking for Cadyn to be a workhorse this year,” Coach Creamer said.“ Cadyn will be back in his role behind the plate, but we are going to look at having him in the top half of the order this year. Cadyn is also going to pick up the responsibility of pitching as a starter or out of the bullpen in big situations.” Stephens hit. 278 last season, has good size and great game control behind the plate with a strong arm. Senior DJ Brown can play most anywhere in the infield. Brown has good hands and an explosive first step. He hit. 330 last season and will be near the top of the lineup. Classmate Ty Ward will patrol the outfield and hit around the middle of the lineup. Ward hit. 312 last season and could move into the infield on occasion. He is quick with a sure glove and good speed on the base path. Junior Dawson Engles will fill a big role at the leadoff spot and in the outfield. Engles is strong, athletic, and fast. He has a good glove and range in the field and can swipe bags on the base paths. Some new faces could add depth and make an impact on the T-Wolf lineup. Seniors Phoenix Ballard and Jonas Elms, along with juniors Colby Fears, Ryley Turner, and Rylen Brown will all contribute this season. Coach Creamer says“ guys stepping up into new roles being able to have confidence to step in and just compete” will be big for them.“ Pitching and defense is going to be a big deal for us,” he added.“ Keeping guys off the base path and controlling / protecting 90 feet as much as possible at all times defensively will be crucial. Offensively, we look to be confident in our ability to get guys on base and score runs. Our biggest concern going into the season is going to be our pitching depth. We are looking to find some bullpen support from guys in different roles to get us through some innings, and more importantly, having a 2nd or 3rd starting guy on the mound that will get up there and just compete.” If the Cedar Ridge Timberwolves can fill those roles, they will have a good shot at making another postseason run.
The Bay Lady Yellowjackets enter the 2026 season under new leadership with head coach Kalie Cap guiding the program. While last year’ s record presented challenges, the roster returns a group of young players who gained valuable experience and now look to translate that into improvement on the field. With a mix of returning contributors and promising newcomers, Bay hopes to build momentum while establishing a strong foundation for the future. Nine players return from last season’ s roster, including one junior and five sophomores. Four of those players started games last year and will be expected to take on larger leadership roles this season. The team’ s lone junior, Anna Rolland, will play a key role both offensively and defensively while also handling the majority of the pitching duties. She is expected to bat in the middle of the lineup and provide veteran leadership for a young team. Two sophomore standouts, Jaeda Cobbs and Malorie Craig will split time between pitcher and catcher, giving Bay flexibility both in the circle and behind the plate. Their ability to contribute offensively while moving to multiple positions gives the coaching staff options throughout the lineup. Another returning sophomore starter, Jayden Mattix will anchor third base, where she has shown strong defensive fundamentals and the ability to consistently make routine plays. She is also expected to contribute offensively as the team looks for more consistent production at the plate. Anna Rolland returns as Bay’ s primary pitcher and will be a central piece of the team’ s success. Rolland commands four different pitches and does an effective job working the strike zone. Beyond her ability in the circle, she provides leadership and communicates well with younger teammates while helping guide the team’ s defensive approach. Several newcomers could also make an impact. Junior Morgan Sparks returns to the program after a year away and brings versatility as a utility player capable of contributing at first base and pitcher while adding power to the lineup. Freshman Macy Brand arrives with extensive travel ball experience and could make an immediate contribution at first base. Skye Dillinger adds athleticism and a strong arm, giving the Lady Yellow Jackets another developing talent. Bay’ s greatest strength lies in the team’ s competitiveness and willingness to play for one another. The challenge will be consistency as a young roster continues to develop. If the Lady Yellowjackets can maintain focus, embrace accountability, and continue improving throughout the season, they could take important steps forward in the program’ s new chapter under Coach Cap.