[New post] Woodland High School softball team wallops Mesa Verde to stay ‘in the mix’ for league crown
Shaun Holkko posted: "The Woodland High School varsity softball team has won back-to-back games in Golden Empire League play, positioning itself among those in the running for a league championship. The Wolves (8-5, 2-2) have rolled this week after returning from Spring Bre" Daily Democrat
The Woodland High School varsity softball team has won back-to-back games in Golden Empire League play, positioning itself among those in the running for a league championship.
The Wolves (8-5, 2-2) have rolled this week after returning from Spring Break. Woodland defeated winless Mira Loma 21-3 at home on Monday. Then, the Wolves shutout Mesa Verde 15-0 on Tuesday afternoon to return to .500 in league play with two victories and two defeats.
"It's a good, efficient win," said Woodland coach Paul Vietti. "I feel like we had been taking two steps forward, one step back. I'm trying to get them to get better regardless of the competition that we're playing. I feel like they're starting to get that. We just needed the playing time to get to the point where we can be efficient."
On Tuesday, the Wolves scored 10 runs in the first inning, one in the second, three in the third and one more in the fourth. The game concluded after five frames due to the 10-run mercy rule.
"That's the tough challenge in a way, but at the same time, they need to learn that they need to get better," Vietti said. "We just talked to them about how we play these guys again tomorrow and we just talked about, 'We have to have a mindset where I want them to be aggressive at the plate, so anything close, they have to go get it.' They have to find ways to improve individually, despite what the score is."
Junior Nayeli Cardenas and sophomore Addison Tetreault led the way for Woodland with both their bats and arms.
Cardenas went 2-for-4 with a double, a game-high three RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base. Cardenas said postgame that she was satisfied with her performance but mentioned that there's always room for improvement in terms of hitting her spots.
Tetreault was 2-for-2 with two doubles, three RBI, two runs and two walks.
Woodland sophomore pitcher Addison Tetreault sprints towards first base after hitting a double during a 15-0 win against Mesa Verde on Tuesday, April 18 in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland senior right fielder Anna Reichenbach hits a single during a 15-0 win against Mesa Verde on Tuesday, April 18 in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland freshman third baseman Emily Rathjen attempts to tag out Mesa Verde senior shortstop Carolina Lewis stealing from second during a 15-0 Wolves win against the Mavericks on Tuesday, April 18 in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland senior shortstop Bella Fernandez swings and hits a double during a 15-0 win against Mesa Verde on Tuesday, April 18 in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland junior first baseman Maddie Burkhart defends the bag as Mesa Verde sophomore second baseman Yazmeen Nidez attempts to lead off it during a 15-0 Wolves win against the Mavericks on Tuesday, April 18 in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
In the circle Tuesday versus Mesa Verde was Tetreault and Cardenas. Tetreault started the game and earned her fourth victory of the season (4-4). The sophomore tossed three hitless innings on 25 pitches and struck out two Mavericks.
"She did good, she hit her spots, she's a very good pitcher," Cardenas said of Tetreault.
Cardenas threw 27 pitches in two innings of relief, allowing one hit and one walk with two punch-outs.
"We've been working a lot on certain pitches," Vietti recalled. "We don't have the luxury, a lot of these girls on certain teams around the area, they play year-round on travel teams, we only have one girl that plays travel (ball). That's why missing those games (due to weather) was tough.
"The good thing about Spring Break is we really got to work on pitching. They've been working on changeups and things to get the batters off balance a little bit. They just need to gain confidence in throwing those other pitches. I'm happy with how we're progressing so I think we can continue to get on a roll a little bit."
With two wins this week, Woodland now sits in fourth place in the GEL, a half-game behind Casa Roble (4-7, 2-1) for third.
"Our goal is to be competitive and make playoffs for the first time in a long time," Vietti explained. "That's been our motto and mindset from the very beginning."
Defending CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champions, Dixon (13-5, 5-0), and crosstown rivals, Pioneer (11-3, 4-1), currently occupy the top two spots in the GEL standings. The Rams and Patriots face off Wednesday afternoon in Woodland.
"Honestly, Dixon and Pioneer are the favorites, no doubt about it," Vietti proclaimed. "We feel like we played well against Dixon last time, even though we lost. We feel like we can play with those guys. It's going to be a battle for those three top spots whether its first, second or third to get into the playoffs.
"I think we're in that mix and I'm pretty happy with where we're at. We'll have a big game against Rio Linda on Thursday because they'll be in the mix too, Casa Roble will probably be in the mix. So it's five of us competing for position on the top. I think we're getting there!"
The Wolves travel to Citrus Heights for a rematch against Mesa Verde (1-5) on Wednesday afternoon. Woodland caps off the busy week on Thursday with a road game at the fifth-place Knights (8-5, 1-2).
"I think our chances are good," Cardenas said. "We're doing good so far. We just have to work on keeping our mindsets good."
First pitch for all three upcoming games is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
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