Serra Padres

Gone is a core of five seniors, including Serra's up-the-middle strength – its catcher, shortstop, second baseman and centerfielder – that was essential in guiding the Padres to a Central Coast Section-Division I championship and a second-place finish in Northern California.

But in their absence are some lessons, breadcrumbs of sorts, that could serve as the road map to another successful season at Serra.

"We have this saying this year, 'success leaves clues,'" said senior shortstop and closer Nate Hui. "We're looking at last year, looking at that success. How can we build off that? But also, we know that this year's a new year. We're not trying to top last year but just be the best team we could be this year."

The Padres have the potential to repeat in the WCAL. They've reloaded up the middle, while bringing back the Peninsula's deepest pitching staff and a handful of key underclassmen contributors from last season's 28-7 squad.

"We return a lot of experience on the mound and that should be the strength of our team," said Mat Keplinger, who guided the Padres to their first CCS championship in 16 years.

The trio of Riley Lim, Kelley Crawford and Aiden Waters, along with Hui, who was Serra's closer last year, gives the Padres a foursome of arms that could carry the Serra to another deep CCS run.

Lim, a senior right hander, was 7-0 with a 2.45 earned-run average last season, while Crawford, another senior, had an uneven season but finished strong with a shutout of Riordan in the WCAL tournament and a 1.89 ERA. If he has turned around his game, he one of the Peninsula's top right-handers. Waters went 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA, while Hui saved seven games, went 2-0 and had a 1.17 ERA.

Offensively, the outfield trio of junior Aaron Minton, a Duke University commit, and seniors Jack Wessell and Aaron Maier are solid. Minton and Maier made big offensive contributions in the postseason. Minton had a big final month of the season, and it was his double off Valley Christian's Brock Ketelsen in the CCS title game that scored two runs and tied the game.

Junior first baseman William Walbridge, a Texas Tech commit, had a big summer and had some big hits for the Padres last season. Hui figures to be the player who steps in at shortstop to replace PeninsulaPrepBaseball.com player of the year Ian Josephson.

"We will rely heavily on the experience of Nate Hui and Aaron Maier offensively," Keplinger said. "Juniors Aaron Minton and William Walbridge are poised to have breakout seasons after their experience as sophomores last year with us."

Hui was a super-utility player last year, playing left and right field, third base, shortstop, second and first bases, in addition to pitching the seventh inning of some big games. This year, he figures to play shortstop, but says he'll step in wherever he's needed.

"Having another successful year doesn't have to be compared to last year," Hui said. "This is a new group. It's a new year. The WCAL is going to be different too. So, a lot of things have changed."

Keplinger also looks at the freshman and junior varsity teams and sees plenty of talent for the future, and a handful that could step in as early as this year to make contributions.

"We are excited about the influx of juniors who have won a lot of games at the freshman and JV levels," Keplinger said.

Infielders Donovan Friedland, Cooper Hipps, and Brody Crudelli will compete for playing time this year, while Jace Peavey, outfielder Kurtis Lee and pitcher and first baseman Jace Cannon will make pushes to get on the field.

2026 Schedule

Feb. 24 at Sacred Heart Prep, The Battle of Atherton tournament, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 26 at Menlo Atherton, The Battle of Atherton, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 Battle of Atherton tournament finals, TBA

March 3 San Ramon Valley, 3:30 p.m.

March 4 College Park, of Pleasant Hill, 3:30 p.m.

March 7 at St. Mary's of Stockton, 11 a.m.

March 11 at Foothill of Pleasanton, 4 p.m.

March 13 at Burlingame, 7 p.m.

March 17 Sacred Heart Cathedral, 4 p.m.

March 20 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. 4 p.m.

March 24 at Valley Christian, 4 p.m.

March 27 Valley Christian, 4 p.m.

March 30 at Boras Family Classic, TBA

March 31 at Boras Family Classic, TBA

April 1 at Boras Family Classic, TBA

April 2 at Boras Family Classic, TBA

April 11 at Campolindo of Moraga, noon

April 14 at Bellarmine, 4 p.m.

April 17 Bellarmine, 4 p.m.

April 21 Mitty, 4 p.m.

April 24 at Mitty, 4 p.m.

April 28 at St. Ignatius, 4 p.m.

May 1 St. Ignatius, 4 p.m.

May 5 Riordan, 4 p.m.

May 8 at Riordan, 4 p.m.

May 12 at Saint Francis, 4 p.m.

May 15 Saint Francis, 4 p.m.