Lindhurst senior Ashlynn Wheeler (2) lines a double in the seventh inning of the Blazers’ 10-6 win over Woodland Christian on April 24. Photo by Steven Bryla

OLIVEHURST, CA (YSBC) - The Lindhurst Blazers softball team proved on April 24 that they can be contenders in the postseason as they split a doubleheader with the Woodland Christian Cardinals.

Woodland Christian took the first game 6-2 before Lindhurst had a late rally for their 10-6 victory.

Blazers head coach Brandy Orozco told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that this was a big win for the program.

Lindhurst senior pitcher Ashlynn Wheeler (2) pitched 12 innings in the doubleheader on April 27 against Woodland Christian. Photo by Steven Bryla

Orozco took over the program in 2025 and said that the main goal was to build an environment where the girls wanted to come out to play and have fun.

The smiles, cheers every at-bat show that Lindhurst is a great place to play.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Cardinals jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after they had five-consecutive hits in the first inning off Blazers sophomore pitcher Abella Ramirez.

Woodland Christian added a couple more runs in the second inning before they ran into Lindhurst senior pitcher Ashlynn Wheeler.

Lindhurst senior Kimberly Diaz-Valadez (12) delivers the game-leading single against Woodland Christian in the Blazers’ victory on April 24. Photo by Steven Bryla

Wheeler shut down the Cardinals lineup as she allowed three hits and struck out 11 over the final five frames of the first game.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Blazers hit first as this series was originally supposed to be played three weeks prior.

Lindhurst put three runs up in the first as they nearly hit through their entire lineup and had the early momentum.

Wheeler dealt phenomenally in the circle as she painted each corner of the plate and kept the ball in play.

Lindhurst junior Gisele Thao (5) knocks a triple on April 24 during the Blazers’ win over Woodland Christian. Photo by Steven Bryla

The game was primarily a pitchers duel until the later innings as Woodland Christian took a 6-3 lead in the sixth after they strung a few hits off Wheeler.

The Blazers rallied for seven-unanswered runs in the top of the seventh as senior infielder Kimberly Diaz-Valadez delivered a runs-batted-in single for the Lindhurst lead.

The Blazers followed up Diaz-Valadez’s single with three consecutive RBI hits.

Lindhurst sophomore first baseman Michelle Lockhart made two key plays in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win and a tie for first place in the Sierra Delta League.

Lindhurst senior Alison Diaz-Valadez (7) fields a ground ball at second base in the victory over Woodland Christian on April 24. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Blazers have their final league series this week against Rio Vista and were ranked 10th in the latest MaxPreps poll for the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs that were released on Monday.

Orozco told YSBC she is excited to get to coach the girls on a daily basis and compete. She added the growth of the program is on its way as they also had a junior varsity team this year.

Lindhurst will have plenty of time for rest for the postseason as brackets for the playoffs are not scheduled to be released until Friday, May 8.

For more local sports, visit ysbcsports.com.

Lindhurst senior Kimberly Diaz-Valadez (12) fields and throws a ball from shortstop on April 24 during the victory against Woodland Christian. Photo by Steven Bryla