SPRING SPORTS - Hughson Unified School District

Hughson High School Softball Prepares for the Playoffs

May 11, 2026

For the first time since the 2011-2015 softball teams, Hughson High School Softball has finished the TVL undefeated and will now enter the playoffs with the #1 seed.

From 2011 to 2015, Hughson High School won five section championships in a row. The team has not won a TVL title since then. All that looks ready to change.

“Softball has had an amazing season. Going undefeated in the TVL is very difficult because a TVL team wins the section title about 90% of the time,” Principal Loren Lighthall said. “We've had excellent pitching, great defense, and timely hitting. We are currently ranked #1 in the division and are excited to start the playoffs next week.”

On May 5, Hughson beat Sonora, 7-0, to finish the TVL season undefeated with a perfect record of 12-0. The day before, Kylie Tangney, with a 1.02 ERA and 211 strikeouts by the end of the regular season, pitched her 200th strikeout against Hilmar in the first inning of the game.

“Kylie’s work ethic is unmatched,” Coach Chase Moorehead said. “She’s achieved such goals for herself, and she does everything she can to make those goals possible for herself.”

Catching for Tangney is Ivorey Moffatt, the starting catcher since the season began. “She’s really good at catching, Moorehead said. “Kylie can spin it and make it move, but she can’t do it without Ivorey. Ivorey is phenomenal behind the plate.”

Also buoying up the team with her confidence and enthusiasm is senior Presley Wells, who ended the season with a .469 batting average. Moorehead described her as a “sparkplug,” igniting the team. “When she carries herself with that confidence, it bleeds into our team, and everyone walking around is filled with that confidence now.”

Pitcher and third basemen Emma Carne, “defensively and offensively, has been amazing for us.” As a sophomore, Moorehead is excited to know they have a couple more years with Carne on the team.

With a team batting average of 0.321, the sophomore Peyton Moring ended the league with a 0.453 average, “contributing to a lot of the runs that we’ve reached this season.”

“It’s been a really fun ride, that’s for sure,” Moorehead said. “Going into the playoffs last year, we made it to the second round, and the girls got a taste of what it felt like to get really close. This season, we had goals on our list, and we accomplished them. Now playing in the section game, the motivation gets higher the closer we get. We have a really good team. I’m excited. The girls are excited about that competition. This team thrives on good competition.”

Brackets were announced on May 8.

On May 13, at 4 p.m., the Huskies will play the winner of the West Campus and Mesa Verde game at home, with games following on May 15, May 19 and the Championship on May 23.

TENNIS

March 20, 2026

As Spring Sports move from their preseason to league play, let’s take a look at where the Hughson Huskies are. In this final part of our series, we spoke with Coach Daniel Rytting about Hughson High School Tennis.

Hughson High School Tennis is currently 4-1.

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

How are things looking so far?

As a Hughson Tennis program, this year is off to a great start! We have 17 players on Varsity and 22 on JV, for a total of 39. Our program continues to grow, and this year we have a very committed and dedicated group of players ranging from very beginner level to our most competitive players. Lots of potential and just a great group on and off the court!

Where are Hughson’s strengths this year?

Our strengths this year for Varsity include a number of returning players from last year, some new players who have added a lot of strength to our team, four great team captains who have taken their leadership opportunity seriously, and, as a team that loves being together, whether at practice, on the bus to matches, or supporting each other in competition.

Please tell me about your best returning players, their positions and key stats.

Aiden Ramos (Jr.) returns after playing #2 singles and receiving the All-League award last year, and is now playing #1 for us. He is off to a 3-2 start this year.

Melissa Walls (Jr.) begins the season playing #1 singles after a successful season last year playing doubles. So far this season, she is off to a 4-0 start.

Other key players that will be strong for us this year include: Hayden Rytting, Matthew Newman, Julian Whiteside, Mia Mateo, Emma Dubel and Hannah Ricks.

Who are some of the new players who show a lot of promise, and what are their positions and stats?

Sadie Petersen (So.) is new to the team and has been playing doubles for us, and has improved a ton since last year.

Joseph Hansen and Dax Barth (both Fr.) are playing in key varsity doubles spots to begin the year.

Who do you think are the most formidable upcoming opponents, and why?

The entire league is so much tougher than it has been in years past. Ripon Christian, Orestimba, and Ripon all return most of their team from last year and will be strong competition for us. River Islands is new to our league, though we won our first league match against them this week, 7-2.

As a coach, what’s on your mind this season?

On my mind constantly is how to help this team become the very best that they can be. Tennis also becomes a means of learning important life lessons through competition, great sportsmanship, and strengthening the mind as we face and navigate the negative thoughts that are a regular part of the sport. I'm hoping that by the end of this year, this team comes together in a special way, that we compete at our highest level with our best effort, and that the positive environment they experience on this team will continue into their personal lives off the court in their families and among their friends.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the community?

We look forward to hosting our Community Summer Camp in June! This will be our third year, and we have had more than 50 kids come to the courts to learn tennis and have a fun time doing so! Registration opens May 1 and goes fast!

How can people follow the season (website, social media)?

SOFTBALL

March 19, 2026

As Spring Sports move from their preseason to league play, let’s take a look at where the Hughson Huskies are. In this third part of our series, we spoke with Coach Chase Moorehead for a look at Hughson High School Softball.

Hughson High School Softball is currently 8-2.

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

How are things looking so far for your team?

For this season, we are 6-2 played and picked up right where we left off.

The girls are playing with a lot of confidence because they had a good run last year. Seeing that upperclassmen experience and confidence are spilling over to the younger girls quite a bit.

Where are your team’s strengths this year?

Solid pitching with Kylie Tangney and Emma Carne. With that pitching and the confidence, you can see it defensively. We did lose some big hitters last year, so we have some underclassmen sophomores who are filling those shoes at the moment: Peyton Moring, Leanne Lopez, and Serenity Crocker, three sophomores who stepped up to fill those bats who left last year.

Please tell me about your best returning players, their positions/events and key stats.

Kylie is killing it right now. Junior played varsity all three years. Right now, she is #1 in the state for strikeouts, which is amazing in Hughson history. May already be at 58 strikeouts in five games. Expect to have a really good year.

Presley Wells, senior, is coming back. We’re looking for big things for her, especially now, coming back 100% after breaking her ankle in flag football and having plenty of time to play. I would expect a lot of stolen bases from her.

Please tell me about the new players who show a lot of promise, their positions/events and stats.

Abby Collins, a sophomore who didn’t play much last year, wound up with a starting role this year, playing third base in the outfield or being our designated hitter, and consistently doing her job.

Serenity is a first-year varsity player and, as a sophomore, is taking a big role in the outfield, taking control while Presley has been gone. Now that we have Presley back, getting to watch her and Presley work together in the outfield will be a good watch.

Who do you think are the most formidable upcoming opponents, and why?

Ripon: We haven’t beaten them in five years. Last year, they beat us in both games by one run. This year, we’re looking forward to playing them.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the community?

Our softball team has only gotten better and better over the last few years. The community support that we already have is great. The kids love big crowds at their games. The more that show up, the better.

How can people follow the season (website, social media)?

You can check out Softball on MaxPreps, the High School Facebook page. The Game Changer plays all of the games live. Look for Hughson Varsity Huskies Spring 2026.

Stay tuned to hear from our final interview with Hughson High School Coaches in their Spring Sports Update: Tennis

GOLF

March 16, 2026

Checking in with Spring Sports

As Spring Sports move from their preseason to league play, let’s take a look at where the Hughson Huskies are. First up, Hughson High School Golf with Coach Dave Zylstra.

Having faced off in two TVL Tournaments, Hughson High School Golf placed third in both. Five more tournaments remain.

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

How are things looking so far?

We have some pretty strong competition this year; however, if we work hard, we may be able to make a playoff spot as a team.

Where are Hughson’s strengths this year?

We have a lot of younger players on JV who are looking to take over varsity next year.

Please tell me about your best returning players, their positions and key stats.

I have several seniors that are all pushing for the top spot: Caleb Parshall, Cameryn Thornberry, Cole Prouty, Landon Mason and Marshall Dayton.

Who are some of the new players who show a lot of promise, and what are their positions and stats?

We also have two new players to the program who are showing tremendous potential to take the number one spot on our team: Cooper Peterson and Ryan Welcome. It will come down to who works the hardest to earn the number one spot.

Who do you think are the most formidable upcoming opponents, and why?

Ripon and Ripon Christian have really strong teams; most of their players grew up at the country club and have started golfing at a young age.

As a coach, what’s on your mind this season?

For our team to make the playoffs, each golfer will need to raise their standard of play and continue improving their personal best score. This will require a shift in their mindset.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the community?

These golfers work hard, and it is my pleasure to work with them and watch their growth as athletes.

How can people follow the season (website, social media)?

They can download the CIF-SJS-Golf Iwannamaker app and, for a fee, follow live scores during tournaments. The schedule can be found here.

Stay tuned to hear from other Hughson High School Coaches in their Spring Sports Update. Next up, baseball.

BASEBALL

March 18, 2026

As Spring Sports move from their preseason to league play, let’s take a look at where the Hughson Huskies are. In this second part of our series, we spoke with Coach Charly Garza about Hughson High School Baseball.

Hughson High School Baseball is currently 5-6.

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

How are things looking so far?

We have started slower than usual. However, we are young, and we have the toughest preseason schedule in my time at Hughson. This is purposeful, as playing better opponents forces us to prepare and compete better.

Please tell me about your best returning players, their positions and key stats.

Isaac Lupercio (catcher), Benji Ocegueda (pitcher), Gavin Gomez (pitcher), and Karsen Moore (outfielder) are key returners.

Who are some of the new players that show a lot of promise, their positions and stats?

Noah Ocegueda (pitcher), Ben DeClerq (first baseman), and Tanner Ehlers (pitcher/SS) are new players who will make an impact.

Who do you think are the most formidable upcoming opponents, and why?

Tough league opponents will be Escalon and Ripon.

As a coach, what’s on your mind this season?

My mindset is for this team to build good habits, especially in the first half of the season. I know we have talent, but we need experience. If we can stay steady and positive, we should be playing our best during the second half of the season and heading to the playoffs.

How can people follow the season (website, social media)?

On X: @Hhuskeybsbl

YouTube: Hughson High Baseball.

Schedule is on MaxPreps.