The Dixon Rams will look to defend their home field on Thursday against the Rio Linda Knights at 4:30 p.m. Dixon is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.9 runs per game this season.
Dixon fell victim to Destiny Christian Academy and their airtight pitching crew on Tuesday. They lost 14-0 to the Lions. Having soared to a lofty 14 runs in the game before, the Rams' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.
Dixon saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Dakota Gaball, who went 1-for-2 with one triple.
Meanwhile, Rio Linda's rock-solid pitcher showed up for the team's fourth consecutive shutout on Tuesday. They never let El Camino get on the board and left with a 10-0 win. The Knights might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six contests by eight runs or more this season.
Kiera Waggoner made a splash while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out six over five innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 2-for-3.
In other batting news, Liv Johnson and Lani Vanderhoof did most of the damage at the plate: Johnson scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3, while Vanderhoof scored two runs and stole two bases while going 1-for-3. Johnson is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last four games she's played. Nakayla Williams was another key player, scoring two runs.
Rio Linda always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .552. That was just more of the same: they've now posted an OBP of .536 or higher in four consecutive matches.
Rio Linda's victory was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 11-3. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.0 runs on average over those games. As for Dixon, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-3.
Thursday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Dixon has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .536. However, it's not like Rio Linda struggles in that department as they've averaged .477. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Everything went Dixon's way against Rio Linda in their previous meeting back in May of 2024, as Dixon made off with a 9-3 victory. Do the Rams have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Knights turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
