High school softball 2026 season preview: Franklin Pierce Cardinals
The high school softball season is underway in Washington, and The News Tribune has been making stops across the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices as games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually as they begin league play.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Franklin Pierce Cardinals this spring.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on several teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
FRANKLIN PIERCE CARDINALS
Head coach: Ron Angelot, 1st season
2025 results: 16-4, Class 2A state tournament first round
OUTLOOK
Kiley Sledge’s stats jump off the page. In 2025, the sophomore slashed an absurd .737/.757/1.684 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI, the driving force behind Franklin Pierce’s 2A SPSL title and state-tournament run. She even threw 40 innings in the circle, notching seven wins and 70 strikeouts. How do you top that?
“I’ve increased my weight lifting a lot, so hopefully I’m hitting with a lot more power this year,” she told The News Tribune. “That was a big thing for me, just getting a lot stronger. Hopefully, that translates into my game this year.” Sledge won’t pitch this year, settling into a permanent role at shortstop. That’s unless first-year Cardinals head coach Ron Angelot needs the Utah commit to weather the storm.
“Unless something happens,” Angelot said. “Like I told her, ‘If I need you to come in in the middle of an inning just to get out of the inning.’”
A handful of talented seniors graduated last spring, bringing plenty of new faces — including Angelot, who coached 2A SPSL rival Fife from 2022-25 — but Sledge headlines a roster that returns its entire infield. If Franklin Pierce figures out their pitching staff? A return trip to the postseason isn’t entirely out of the question. “The biggest thing I want to see from these players… don’t get discouraged when you fail,” Angelot said. “And continue to work hard and improve. If we take the season as a whole and we look at where we’re at today and where we are at the end of the season, and we see a significant improvement in skillset, then it was a successful season.”
The returners include senior center fielder Lindsay Gade and sophomore sisters Kaela and Laela Andy. Senior catcher Neigha Garcia, who drove in 20 runs last year, is expected to miss the start of the season with a back injury. Sophomore pitcher Kallie Sullivan is the early favorite to become Franklin Pierce’s top arm. And Sledge? Angelot offered high praise.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to coach a player of her caliber,” he said. “Nothing as fluid and as talented and as versatile as her. For as good a player as she is, from the short time that I’ve been around her, an even better kid. Just nice, polite. “I think the word, if you were to ask any of her coaches, is ‘coachable.’ … For a player of her caliber, it makes my job significantly easier.”
KEY PLAYERS
INF Kiley Sledge
P Kallie Sullivan
OF Lindsay Gade
SAVE THE DATE
April 14: at Fife, 7 p.m.
May 5: at Washington, 4 p.m.
May 7: vs. Orting, 4 p.m.
