South Kitsap softball struggled to get its offense going in the Wolves’ first game of the season against Rogers March 18, losing in blowout fashion 13-1.

SK previously went 2-1 in pre-season scrimmages March 15, beating Bethel 7-3 and Nathan Hale 3-1, but falling to Kennedy Catholic 9-6.

“It didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but I think we can go into practice tomorrow knowing some things that we need to work on,” SK catcher Reagan Dale said.

SK starting pitcher Joci Lee surrendered three runs in the top of the first inning.

The Wolves pitching continued to struggle in the top of the second, giving up three additional runs until shortstop Maleah Sawyers was able to get a Ram out at first base. At the end of the second, the Wolves swapped out starting pitcher Lee to first-baseman Madison Bonilla after giving up four more runs.

“We had made a few errors out in the field, and it was affecting our pitcher [Joci Lee] at the time, [so] the best move was to get it out of her head and give [Bonilla] a good look,” SK coach Bob Lawrence said.

Bonilla gave up a home run in the top of the fourth, making the score 10-0. Nonetheless, the Wolves were finally able to get three consecutive outs via a fly-out, strikeout and groundout to first base.

The bottom of the fourth kicked off with a hit from Sawyers, giving the Wolves their first hit on the day. Dale then got hit by a pitch before Lee got a hit to right field, allowing SK to score its first run of the game. The rest of the SK batters struck out, ending the inning.

The Wolves pitching continued to struggle, giving up another three runs in the top of the fifth, pushing Rogers’ lead to 13-1. The game ended after 5 innings due to the mercy rule.

“It’s a humbling experience anytime you get beat like that,” Lawrence said.