The Woodland Christian softball team enjoyed another fantastic season this past year and was rewarded with seven Sierra Delta League postseason awards, including two second-team selections, four first-team selections, and the league MVP award recipient in Teagan Hayes.

While their season unfortunately ended with a loss in the opening round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs, that should not be the lasting memory of a team that swept through its debut season in the SDL with a 14-0 record while going 25-5 overall.

“I’m incredibly proud of what this team accomplished. In our first year in the Sierra Delta League, we went undefeated and really set the tone from day one,” Cardinals head coach Christie Miller said. “We were bumped up again for playoffs, competing in Division V, which brought a higher level of competition.”

The Cardinals faced an uphill battle in the D5 bracket as the No. 11 seed. Unfortunately, they didn’t get their chance to go on a run after an 11-1 opening round loss to the No. 5-seeded Ripon.

Despite the lopsided score, the game was much closer than it seemed, as it was a 2-1 game going into the sixth inning.

“The final score of our first-round loss doesn’t reflect how close that game really was,” Miller recalled. “We had our chances, but just didn’t execute at the plate when we needed to, leaving 10 runners on base. When you work so hard all season, gearing up for the postseason, it’s certainly disappointing to lose in the first round. We know we were capable of a deeper run and were a better team than we showed that day.

“While the ending wasn’t what we hoped for, it doesn’t take away from the outstanding season we had. You continue to reflect on the missed opportunities, learn from them, and come back even more determined next season to change the outcome. We’re proud of what we’ve done—and we’re hungry for what’s next.”

Despite the rough ending, the Cardinals were still the class of the SDL. They earned second-team selections for Chayse Anderson and Kylee Bihlman, along with first-team selections for Adison Huiskens, Morgan Sanders, Maggie Wurzel, and Ariana Perez, and the aforementioned MVP for Hayes.

Hayes, a D1 softball commit to the University of Tennessee at Marin, led the way for the Cardinals at the plate and behind the dish as the team’s catcher.

Despite joining the team a bit late, following a huge role in the girls’ basketball team’s state championship run, Hayes was a mainstay in the lineup, hitting .574, with 34 runs scored, 27 hits, 40 RBI, 8 doubles, and a team-high 9 home runs.

Hayes earned the attention of MaxPreps as well, earning a second-team selection on the website’s All-Sac-Joaquin Section team.

“It’s always a privilege to coach someone of Teagan’s caliber,” Miller said. “She’s an incredibly gifted athlete with an exceptional combination of power and softball instincts. She’s proven herself across multiple sports—golf, basketball, and softball—and whatever she takes on, she finds a way to excel. Her talent, combined with her drive to compete, made her a difference-maker for us all season.”

“Her performance in league play was on another level, hitting .793 and earning her the title of League MVP. I have no doubt she’ll be an impact player at UT Martin.”

Bashing softballs all season long alongside Hayes was fellow D1 commit Adison Huiskens, who will attend Idaho State University in the fall. Huiskens led the Cardinals in batting average (.616), runs (54), hits (45) and doubles (9), while also coming in second in RBI (40) and home runs (4).

“Addy approached her senior season with a clear sense of purpose and maturity,” Miller said. “She knew her role and was always ready to contribute in whatever way the team needed. While she locked down shortstop for us, she’s capable of playing any position on the field. We shifted her based on the opponent’s offensive tendencies, and she always handled it with confidence.”

Huiskens also earned the team’s MVP award, a reflection of both her performance and presence on the field.

“Addy is a true workhorse who is driven, competitive, and constantly pushing herself to get better. Her softball IQ, versatility, and relentless mindset make her a great addition to the Idaho State program. She’s absolutely ready for the next level and will be a difference maker in their lineup.”

Sanders had her own incredible season behind Hayes and Huiskens, racking up a .513 batting average, to go with her 35 runs, 40 hits, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and a team high 49 RBI.

“Morgan played second base and was a reliable and fundamentally sound defender, but what really stood out this season was her performance at the plate,” Miller said. “Morgan had her best offensive year yet. The extra work she put in outside the regular season was evident, and she carried a new level of confidence each time she stepped into the box.

“She opened her senior year with a home run to left field against Buckingham Charter, setting the tone early. One of my favorite moments came at Golden Sierra. After Teagan had hit two home runs and was intentionally walked, Morgan stepped up and answered with a home run of her own. It was a defining moment that showed just how much she had grown as a player.”

Earlier this summer, Sanders, along with Huiskens and Hayes, all represented the school in the annual Optimist game held June 12. Sanders’ performance in that game earned her the Most Outstanding Player Award for the South Small School.

“Although she received offers to continue playing softball in college, Morgan has decided to hang up her cleats and focus on school,” Miller said.

Wurzel served as the team’s co-ace, racking up a 12-3 record in 20 appearances. She ended the season with a 2.72 ERA, 71 strikeouts and only 30 walks. At the plate, she hit .486, with 28 hits, 36 runs, 28 RBI, 5 doubles, and a team high 9 steals.

“Maggie is someone who truly makes coaching easy,” Miller said. “She’s consistent and brings a strong work ethic every single day, asking the right questions and taking feedback well, making her extremely coachable. She was an integral part of our success on the mound and at first base when she wasn’t pitching.

“You could really see the difference in her maturity this season, which comes with experience. Maggie makes the team better not just through her performance, but in the way she responds to situations and leads by example. In addition to her league award, she earned a team Coach’s Award. She’ll no doubt be someone we look to as a leader on the field heading into her senior season.”

Ariana Perez scored the second most runs on the team with 39, while hitting an impressive .418, with 33 hits, 23 RBI and 7 steals. As an incoming junior, Miller is excited to see what next season has in store for her.

“Ariana held down center field for us and also stepped in at first base when needed,” Miller said. “She’s been our leadoff hitter for the past two years, and she really sets the tone for us offensively. She covers a lot of ground in the outfield and brings a steady presence to the top of the lineup. It’ll be great to have her back as a junior with even more experience and confidence under her belt. She’ll continue to be a key piece for us moving forward.”

Anderson will also return next season as the team’s other ace alongside Wurzel. This past season, Anderson pitched 59.2 innings, racking up a 3.75 ERA and a team-high 102 strikeouts.

“Chayse brings a competitive edge to the circle that you love to see in a young pitcher,” Miller said. “One of her personal goals was to reach 100 strikeouts for the season, and she achieved that in our final non-league game against Colusa. It was an incredible accomplishment that reflects her determination and focus. Chayse has the velocity to be dominant, and as she continues to refine her control, she’ll only become more effective. We’re fortunate to have two more years with her to continue developing her game. When she’s not pitching, she contributes in the outfield, showing her versatility and value to the team.”

Bihlman, the last Cardinal to receive SDL recognition, will also return as a senior next season. Bihlman hit .349, with 25 hits, 28 runs, and 31 RBI. On the field, she put up the team’s second-highest fielding percentage at .987.

“Kylee brings grit, toughness, and a fearless mindset to everything she does,” Miller said. “Whether it was digging out throws at first, tracking down balls in the outfield, or taking on catching duties, she embraced every role with confidence. She also earned our team “Wear It” award, not just for leading the team in hit by pitches, but for her aggressive, team-first play on defense.

“Offensively, she gave us consistency in the middle of the lineup and came through in clutch moments, including executing key bunts. Heading into her senior season, I know she’ll be a cornerstone for our team in both performance and leadership.”

Departing from the team alongside Hayes, Huiskens and Sanders are fellow Class of 2025 graduates Lileana Trejo and basketball star Keziah Maldonado-Lemus.

“Keziah’s main sport is basketball, but she wanted to try something new this year, and we were glad she did,” Miller said. “She’s a natural athlete who works hard and picks things up quickly. Even though softball was outside of her comfort zone, she never backed down from a challenge and gave great effort every day. She also brought a ton of personality and spunk to the team. Whether it was lightening the mood during practices or making everyone laugh in the dugout, Keziah added something special to our team.”

“Lileana played softball all four years and continued to improve each season,” Miller said. “She gave her maximum effort in everything she did and consistently brought positive energy to the team. Whether it was during games, practices, or doing the little things that often go unnoticed, Lileana was always willing to step up and do what the team needed.

“Her commitment and selflessness earned her our “Heart and Hustle” award—an honor that reflects not just the way she played the game, but how she carries herself on and off the field. She was hardworking, reliable, and the kind of teammate every coach wants on their roster.”

Miller mentions that the entire class will be dearly missed.

“This senior class will be missed tremendously,” she said. “They have left their mark not just in the win column, but in the culture and chemistry of the team. Each one of them brought something unique, whether it was leadership, work ethic, energy, or simply the way they consistently showed up and supported their teammates throughout the season.

“They have set a standard for what it means to give your all and play for something bigger than yourself. Watching them grow over the years, both as athletes and as people, has been one of the most rewarding parts of coaching. We are grateful for everything they have given to this program, and they will always be part of the Cardinal softball family.”