May 13, 2025

A strong second-place finish in the Trans-Valley League earned the Hughson High softball a No. 8 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 5 playoffs and a first-round home game Wednesday.

The Huskies (14-8-1) will host No. 9 Ben Holt College Prep Academy (14-9), which won the Central California Athletic Alliance League. First pitch will be at 4 p.m.

The winner will move on Friday to play the winner of No. 1 Casa Roble (15-6-1) of Orangevale and No. 16 Union Mine (6-11) of El Dorado.

Offensively, Hughson counts on Grace Leedom (.414 average, 24 runs scored) and Presley Wells (.468, 29 runs, 22 stolen bases) to set the table for Emma Carne (.403, team-leading 24 RBIs) and Allison Moring (.368, 13 doubles, 20 RBIs).

On the mound, Kylie Tangney (7-2, 1.53 earned run average) has been dominant. Her 144 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings rank her in the top 10 for any pitcher in the entire Section. Carne (5-1, 2.59 ERA, 62 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings) gives the Huskies a quality No. 2 starter.

It is the second year in a row that Hughson has qualified for the Division 5 playoffs. Last season, the Huskies were knocked out in the first round by Calaveras.