Woodland’s playoff hopes end amid 10-game losing streak

Woodland’s goal of returning to the state playoffs will have to put on the shelf for the second year in a row.

The Bobcats were swept at the hands of area champion Ranburne last Thursday, slamming the door on their already slim playoff hopes. 

Woodland opened the first game with an early 4-0 lead, but Ranburne’s bats came alive for the rest of day as the Bulldogs walloped the Bobcats by scores of 17-5 and 15-5.

Levi Scarbary started off well on the mound in that first game.

“But he sort of lost his ability to throw strikes, so I had to take him out,” said Woodland head coach Eric Dye. “After that Ranburne really started hitting the baseball.”

After showing some positive signs early in the season, Woodland finds itself in the midst of a 10-game losing streak following Saturday’s 9-6 loss to Horseshoe Bend.

The struggles have come in every facet of the game for Woodland.

“It’s hard when you’re losing like we are to pinpoint those things that are going good,” Dye said.

“We haven’t played good defense. We’re not making the routine plays on a consistent basis,” Dye said. “And we haven’t been getting the hits when we have runners in scoring position. That’s been the two biggest things.”

The pitching staff that showed some promise early also fell off in its productivity.

“Our pitching has been better, but we’ve got to do more than just throw strikes. We’ve got to be able to hit spots,” Dye said. “If you throw it right down the middle other teams hit too well. They’ll hit those pitches hard.”

With the playoffs out of the picture Dye has turned his focus on sending seniors John Wes Adcock, Kip Sims, Jay Yates and Colby Spears out on a positive note.

“After the Ranburne series I told my guys, hey, we’ve still got pride to play for. You’re still wearing that Woodland jersey, and that means something,” Dye said. “Plus we need to hopefully send these seniors out on a positive note. I know we can’t make the playoffs, but let’s do something for them and have everybody on the team contribute in a positive way.”

Woodland will play Handley today, Randolph County Thursday and then will close their season with a Saturday doubleheader at Ohatchee.