The Woodland High School varsity baseball team enjoyed another fine season in the Golden Empire League, ending the year with a strong run in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs that culminated with a trip to the semifinals.

Their reward for such a great season was the overall GEL MVP in freshman Riley Salvemini, three first-team all-league selections for fellow freshman Cohen Dwyer and seniors Joseph Quezada and Joe Cadotte, along with two second-team selections for juniors PJ Pinegar and David Tanner.

“Think we knew we had a young, talented group, and it was just a matter of how much they’d produce and adapt to varsity level baseball,” Wolves head coach Danny Eoff reflected. “The beginning of the season was a bit of a struggle, but they kept grinding and believed in their abilities to make a deep run. When all that came together, we were a force to be reckoned with.

The Wolves (22-8, 15-6, GEL) rode into their CIF SJS D5 first-round home playoff game after a second-place finish in their league, earning them D5’s No. 4 overall seed. In the opening round, the Wolves easily dispatched Marysville 4-0 before a 15-5 win over No. 5 seed Linden in the second round.

In the semifinals, the Wolves faced off against the No. 1-seeded Lincoln in a three-game set. After losing the first game on the road 7-5, the Wolves bounced back to defend their home field in game two and won 4-1. In game three, however, the Wolves fell just short by a score of 7-6.

“It was a tough loss and tough way to end the season,” Eoff said. “There were a handful of things that didn’t go our way that game. We were pretty confident our batting would beat their pitching, but there were just enough missed plays on our end to get them the momentum and win the game. The only good thing is that we are returning a lot of players for next season, and they are already working hard to make sure we aren’t in that same situation next season.”

As a freshman, Salvemini cooked GEL pitchers and hitters, instantly catching the attention of opposing coaching staffs, which led to his awarding of MVP recognition. He also caught attention outside of the league, earning a Sacramento Bee All Metro First-Team selection as well as making the 2025 MaxPreps High School Baseball Underclass All-America Team.At the plate, Salveminin led the Wolves in ever major offensive statistical category, including batting average (.576), hits (57), RBI (42), runs (41), doubles (13), triples (7), and home runs (3). On the mound, he was just as impressive, leading the way for the Wolves in pitcher wins (8), starter ERA (1.36), strikeouts (80), and innings pitched (56.2).

His season really peaked in the second round smashing of Linden, where Salvemini racked up 10 strikeouts on the mound, and a 3-3 day at the plate that included 3 runs and 4 RBI.

“I just think the stats tell a lot of the story on why he was selected MVP,” Eoff said. “That’s the good thing about a three-game series; you get a good idea of who the team’s true, legitimate players are by playing them three straight games. The cream rises to the top, and you can see what players are capable of. Riley was impossible to get out, hit for power, hit for bases, and scored runs. He has the whole gamut. When he was on the mound, he dominated as well.”

Eoff, who just completed a full four-year cycle as the Wolves manager, mentions Salvemini’s freshman season was one of the best he’s seen during his time in charge.

“I have not had a freshman be that good,” he said. “I don’t think we (Woodland High School) have had a league MVP as a freshman. To get all his accolades is more than just dominating your six-team league; that’s putting the whole CIF, state, and nation on notice. “

Fellow freshman Cohen Dwyer capitalized on injuries to key players to play an even larger role than he was originally slated for. Along with leading off, Dwyer played some infield, outfield, and even filled in at catcher at the end of the year.

At the plate, Dwyer raked, coming in second on the team in hits (37), runs (40), triples (2), and home runs (1), while also racking up a .402 batting average, 15 RBI, 7 doubles, and 34 steals.

“His overall stats were good, and his contributions were huge,” Eoff said. “He came in as a freshman and instantly showed he belonged. He put us in so many spots to win. From the leadoff spot, he’s such a powerful, fast kid with good instincts. We can’t wait to bring him back, and then having Riley and Dylan Johns behind that opens up the door for us to score early and often.”

After excelling for the football team over the fall and then the basketball team over the winter, the starting duo of Cadotte and Quezada stood out once again to earn first-team recognition on the baseball diamond as well.

At the plate, Cadotte led the team in walks (22) and stolen bases (35) (one away from the school record), while also putting up a .354 batting average on 27 hits, 28 runs scored, 14 RBI, and 5 doubles.

Quezada was second on the team with a .413 batting average, along with 20 walks, 20 runs, 31 hits, 17 RBI, 3 doubles, and 2 triples.

“Both of those guys are such athletically gifted individuals,” Eoff said. “They contributed to all three teams in their senior year and understood their roles on all of them. We relied heavily on them.

“JoJo, who earned our most improved award, almost doubled his production from the year before and was an amazing outfielder. Cadotte was a jack of all trades. They got it all done when we needed it most with base running, power, bunting, and stealing bases.”

Pinegar and Tanner earned second-team selections, but were no less critical to Eoff’s squad.

Pinegar played gold glove caliber defense from all over the infield while putting up a .299 batting average with 20 runs scored, 26 hits, 21 RBI and 4 doubles.

Tanner racked up a .259 batting average to go with 21 runs, 21 hits, 16 RBI, 8 doubles, 2 triples, and a towering home run in the CIF SJS D5 opening round 4-0 win against Marysville.

As the teams’ co-ace alongside Salvemini, Tanner amassed a 3.36 ERA, 6 wins, and 48 strikeouts in 50 innings.

“PJ was so steady for us,” Eoff said. “He got more consistent and gained arm strength and mobility. Having Salvemini over his shoulder made him just work that much harder. He is a great leader and glue guy who keeps everyone humble and even-keeled.

“Tanner really went on a hot streak in the middle of the year,” Eoff continued. “He started to realize what pitches to look for and what to do with them. That gave him a lot of confidence and opened things up for him. He is one of our best power hitters and brings a ton of pop from the left. On the mound, he is a bulldog. He goes out there and grinds, knowing his stuff is good enough to get everyone out.”

With Tanner, Pinegar, Salvemini, and Dwyer, along with Aiden Lopez, Dylan Ramirez, and Dylan Johns, all set to return, Eoff is excited for next season.

“It’s awesome to be able to bring this core back for one or even two or three more years. It’s a great way to see their progress as ball players and men in general,” Eoff said. “It allows them to get some momentum going and takes the guesswork out of the preseason and tryout process. Having an entire lineup ready to go lets us get to work right where we left off last year. I think some of the freshmen and sophomores we have are being exposed to good competition, and that will only help us in the long run.”

Departing from the team this past June, alongside Cadotte and Quezada, are Braydon Sandoval and Brendon Stewart.

“Sandoval and Stewart are guys all coaches want,” Eoff said. “Great teammates, hard workers, loyal. They come to work every day, be a good teammate, enjoy their time, and whatever happens on the day happens. They will be missed due to the environment they’d cultivate every day. They rubbed off on the younger guys, and it allowed us to be a cohesive unit throughout the year.

“The team was a very friendly group of guys that enjoyed going to battle, and I attribute a lot of that to our four seniors.”