WCHS GETS BIG WIN AT ENCINA
Cardinals stay unbeated in league play
Entering this week, eight of the Woodland Christian High School varsity softball team's 10 victories had been by doubledigits and the largest win of the year came on Monday afternoon in Central Valley California League action.
The Cardinals (11-3, 3-0 CVCL) won at Encina Prep in Sacramento by a final score of 20-1 in five innings. Woodland Christian scored 6 runs in the first frame, 8 in the second and 3 in the third and fifth, respectively, on 18 hits.
“It was the level of play that we expected coming into it. We use games like today just to give opportunities to other players to play positions that they wouldn't normally,” said head coach Christie Miller. “They're still young and there are times when you definitely have to refocus their attention in the right ways. We've had some mental mistakes out there and opportunities that we could've turned a double play and didn't. A runner stole on us because nobody said anything. Communication like that can't happen in the game.”
With UT Martin commit, junior Tegan Hayes, normally starting behind the dish, sophomore outfielder Kylee Bihlman doesn't get many opportunities to play catcher. Bihlman said postgame that she is likely the fourth catcher on the depth chart behind senior Macie Timothy and junior Adison Huiskens but enjoyed gaining more experience.
“It was fun (playing the Bulldogs) and kind of like the soft pitches when (assistant coach) Trish (Hayes) pitches to us. It was fun because I got to catch,” Bihlman recalled. “It was really easy because Maggie only threw strikes and very little balls. All I had to do was just keep my glove there.”
Sophomore right-hander Maggie Wurzel had arguably the best performance of her young career, both in the circle and at the plate. Wurzel (2-1) hadn't pitched since March 12 but that wasn't evident as she earned the win. The underclassman tied her career-high with 10 strikeouts over 5.0 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run and 3 walks on 72 pitches. Wurzel set a new career-best with a game-high 5 runs batted in, going 4-for-5 at the plate with 3 doubles and 2 runs scored.
“Maggie did a great job out on the mound pitching a complete game. It's been a while since she pitched so she looked good,” Miller said. “Maggie did really well and we're trying to make sure we're getting
her mound time and in a groove as we start to approach the end of the season prepping for playoffs. She had a great game at the plate too. The hardest thing for a lot of batters is to adjust to a pitcher like that where the ball is just lobbed in. She got her timing down and looked great.”
Senior outfielder Alexis Wiese also had a productive day at the dish. She went 4-for-5 with 2 RBI, 1 run and 1 stolen base. Junior OF Liliana Trejo was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs.
“It's all about sportsmanship. I think on the flip side of that, we got thumped by Sutter last year,” Miller recalled. “It's hard to try and put yourselves in their shoes. You gotta give them all the credit in the world, they're out there, competed the best that they can and stayed in the game. Their pitchers didn't give up, so kudos to them for that.”
Nine Cardinals had at least 1 hit and 1 RBI. The six others were: Bihlman, Hayes, Huiskens, Emily Garcia, Ariana Perez and Isadora Weiner.
“It should be harder games,” Bihlman foretold. “We'll probably have to keep our mind in the game more and stay strong, even if we do play easier teams.”
Woodland Christian has two CVCL contests remaining this week, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Foresthill and a rematch versus Encina at 4 p.m. on Thursday from Tyson Miller Memorial Field.
“We have a pretty solid season the rest of the way.
We play Encina potentially one more time. Foresthill on Wednesday, I don't want to look past them. We want to clinch league, of course, so finishing strong undefeated,” Miller said. “We've added some more games and want to get as much competition as we can going into the end of the season.”
Next week, the Cardinals travel to the west side of town to play the Wolves in the second game of a home-andhome series. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
“It's the perfect opportunity for them to be able to host us,” Miller foreshadowed. “We hosted them twice last year and then once this year. They've got another pitcher who is eligible now, I think we saw her early in the season just in a scrimmage. It'll be fun to see how our players do. It's a rivalry but it's also a friendly one so the girls look forward and aren't stressed out going into it.”