What a spectacular Opening Day for the Goleta Valley Girls Softball Association (GVGSA)! The 2025 season kicked off on Saturday, March 1 with a special visit from Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3) who was in attendance to present the All-Star 2024 Goleta Thunder 12U Softball team with Certificates of Recognition for placing second in the 2024 Western National Championship in Salem, OR!

The Thunder, representing GVGSA, finished with a 30-14 summer record, including three tournament victories and second place overall in a tournament with the top 32 teams in the Western United States. A big congratulations to the 2024 All-Star Thunder, a remarkable group of players!

Players on the team are: Evie Bechler, Olivia Carleton, Reagan Cram, Cecily Benes, Karina Huie, Arina Baltadano, Bailey Conway, Sophia Munoz, Cami Weiss, Kylie Buben, Lucy Hendrick and Jasmine Rollman. The team is coached by Eric Buben, Julie Weiss, Chris Huie, Devany Bechler and Dan Carleton.

We wish all the talented softball players and dedicated coaches who are a part of GVGSA a fantastic 2025 season! We also want to thank all the wonderful volunteers, parents, and supporters that work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our Goleta youth have the best experience possible each year.

From the City of Goleta, we wish GVGSA another electric season filled with passion, teamwork, and the joy of softball. Let’s hit it out of the park!

Thunder team at the Western National Championship

Above: Thunder Team at Opening Day with their Certificates of Recognition; also pictured: team coaches and Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3)