The Woodland High School varsity softball team hit the road for the final time this year to begin the week in Orangevale with Golden Empire League action.
The Wolves (5-15, 3-7 GEL) lost 18-4 in five innings at Casa Roble (10-10, 6-5) on Monday afternoon at the Vernon A. Cable Field of Dreams.
“I think it was frustrating. We could have played better, but a lot of the girls did the best they could and that’s the way it goes,” recalled senior first baseman Maddie Burkhart. “I think the pitchers really did well. They really pushed through the game.”
The Rams scored 6 in the first frame, 8 in the second and 2 in each of the third and fourth. Woodland plated 1 in each the first and fourth, respectively, and 2 in the third.
“We just played a game against River City that went to nine innings and I felt like we really didn’t start playing until about the third inning. The same thing kind of happened today,” explained coach Paul Vietti. “It was great to see them just battle through. A lot of times this is what happens is they get down and then we get so far behind, we can’t battle back in the game. I was proud of the way that they really fought back. I just think we need to learn how to be ready from the get go with energy. That’s what we got to work on, but we only got a couple of games left to do that.”
Two Wolves tallied multiple hits each. Sophomore catcher Jaela Hernandez was 2-for-2. Junior shortstop Izzy Loesch went 2-for-3 with 1 run scored.
“Today was hard, we had low energy. Honestly, I had fun,” Loesch said. “It’s our third to last game so I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
Loesch is headed to the Dominican Republic this summer to refine and build upon her softball skills.
“It’s my first time going out of the country so I’m just super excited. Hopefully it’s a good experience and I can’t wait,” Loesch explained. “Honestly, I’m just looking for some more softball reps and just experiencing a different country.”
Burkhart, sophomore third baseman Emily Rathjen and senior outfielder Maddy Leach each recorded 1 hit and 1 run batted in. Junior left-hander Taylin Gill (0-3) tossed the first two innings in the circle. Senior RHP Nayeli Cardenas pitched the final two in relief.
“(Loesch) has always been one of our better players, but she’s kind of had a rollercoaster with things going on outside of softball,” Vietti explained. “So she’s had to battle through that and you could see it more lately, the last half of the season this year, she got focused, her maturity level went up, she’s become a much better teammate, much better leader and you can see that. I think that this is just going to carry that forward and that’s going to benefit her big time next year.”
Last Thursday, Woodland traveled to West Sacramento to play at Yolo County rival, River City, in a non-league matchup. The Raiders jumped out to a 5-0 lead, then the Wolves tied it up. Both teams later scored twice to send the game into extra frames tied 7-7.
“I think a lot of us just wanted to have one last win,” Burkhart said. “One last big hurrah, even though we’re pretty sure we’re gonna win our Senior Night, but we wanted to work more and harder.”
Woodland scored 3 runs in the top of the ninth but River City responded with 4 in the bottom half to walk-off with the thrilling 11-10 victory.
“That game was probably the best game that we played this season. We had competitive energy, we were all put together and amazing,” Loesch recalled. “Hopefully we can be that same team tomorrow and Wednesday.”
Woodland has two GEL homes game left in the season. The Wolves host Rio Linda on Tuesday and Mira Loma on Wednesday. First pitch for both contests is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
“We just want to play hard from start to finish,” Vietti foreshadowed. “We want to go seven innings, play hard nose, leave it all on the field and obviously, it will be Senior Night. It will be an emotional evening on Wednesday night. We’ll let all the seniors play and get after it for the last time.”
