The Woodland High School varsity softball team struggled on Thursday, en route to a 10-0 Golden Empire League loss to rival Rio Linda.

“The girls made a couple of bad plays, and we just weren’t hitting the ball today,” Wolves head coach Jeff Loesch said. “Thats part of the game. If you don’t hit the ball, you can’t score runs. The defense was pretty solid today despite the errors, but we never gave up and kept trying all game.”

The Wolves (4-16, 1-9 GEL) came into the home showdown in a bit of a rough patch, having lost five straight games. Before the skid, they enjoyed their first league win of the year against Natomas High School on April 1, winning 17-1.

During that game, senior Izzy Loesch knocked in 4 RBI to go with her 2 runs and 3 hits. Fellow senior Sofia Sanchez also had 3 hits while scoring 1 run and knocking in 2 RBI. Addy Tetreault also chipped in with 3 runs scored, with 2 hits and 2 RBI.

Freshman Bria Arrellano and junior Emma Rubio each had 3 hits as well.

The Knights raced out to a 3-0 lead Thursday and then added to it with 1 lone run in the top of the fourth to go up 4-0.

While things still looked manageable for the Wolves, a back-breaking 5 run top of the fifth inning doomed any chances at a comeback as they fell 9-0. The Knights activated the 10-run mercy rule in the top of the sixth inning to eventually win 10-0.Up next for the Wolves will be another home game against league foes Casa Roble, set for Tuesay, April 29 at Woodland High School.

After that, they will have just three games left on their schedule, and they are on the road against Natomas on May 1, and then back at home for the final two, with one on Tuesday, May 6 against Destiny Christian Academy, and Senior Night the following day on Wednesday May 7 against Sutter.

“I have six girls who are seniors, and I just want them all to have fun,” Loesch said. “We have one or two players that will play in college, but other than that, these could be the final few games that the girls will put on the cleats, and I just want them to have a good time.

“We won’t give up, tho, and stay positive. Hopefully, it’s not just softball that they gain out of this year, but life lessons, too.”