Forty-two runs scored in two road games.
The Oakdale High School varsity baseball team hung 42 runs on the Lathrop Spartans this week in the two game road series. On Tuesday, April 17 the Mustangs won 18-3 and they followed that up with a 24-4 win on Thursday, April 19.
In Tuesday’s road win, which was moved to Lathrop due to bad field conditions at Oakdale High School, the Mustangs started off with a four run first inning. The team’s offense posted runs in every inning except for the sixth and broke the game open with a seven-run seventh inning. A total of 21 hits by Oakdale sparked the big day. Dylan Wright led the attack with four hits. Corey Hinojosa connected on three hits, including a pair of triples, and brought in three runs. Jacob Solorio also had three hits resulting in two RBI. Alex Daoud, Hayden Knittel, Austin Meeks and Max Moore each had two hits. Issac Higle, Jake Elting and Josh Gerber each had one hit in the win.
On the mound Josh Garcia pitched three innings in the win, giving up one hit and striking out five. The Mustangs committed no errors in the win.
Two days later their bats did not cool off. A six-run first inning by Oakdale set the tone, but the game was put out of reach with a sizzling 16-run effort in the second by the Mustangs. First baseman Dane Gibson led the charge with a four-hit afternoon and brought in three runs. Oakdale had 24 total hits in the win, including a three-hit day by both Solorio and Knittel. Moore, Nathan Womack, Elting and Wright each had two hits. Wright started the game on the mound for Oakdale and pitched three innings. The Mustangs once again played clean baseball by not committing an error.
“I was pleased with our discipline,” said head coach Chris Henry on the team’s error-free ways. “Our boys stuck with our middle of the field approach with the line drive contact.”
Following the two game sweep, Oakdale is tied for first place in the Valley Oak League with Kimball as both teams are 6-2 in league play. This week Oakdale plays a home-and-away series with Sierra (5-2). On Tuesday, April 24 Oakdale hosted the Timberwolves following The Leader’s press time. Thursday, April 26 Oakdale travels to Sierra in the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
“We are showing great strides of maturity and mental toughness,” said Henry.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Oakdale swept the Spartans in their two game series. In game one Oakdale won 12-2 and followed up with a 12-0 shutout on Thursday afternoon. In Tuesday’s win Seth Presant, a freshman, hit a home run to help power the offensive attack. Presant finished with two hits and had five RBI in the win. Evan Waite had three hits for Oakdale. Oakdale trailed 2-0 following the first inning but responded with eight runs in the second. On the bases Gage Brink stole three bags to stay aggressive. Diego Valdez earned the win on the mound. In game two, Waite had two hits including an RBI double. Oakdale stole six bases including three by Brett Maddock. He also earned the win on the mound. Maddock pitched three innings and struck out six. Oakdale will take on Sierra this week. They hosted Sierra on Tuesday following The Leader’s press time. Thursday, Oakdale will take on the Timberwolves in Manteca. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
FRESHMEN
A devastating 4-3 home loss to Sierra on Wednesday, April 18 started the week for the young Mustang team.
On Friday, April 20 the frosh boys traveled to Sierra to take on the Wolves in the rubber match of the week. Pitcher Noah Chelberg started the game for Oakdale and got the win as Oakdale defeated Sierra 6-4. Gideon Laird, Lorenzo Klose, Donovan Walker and Chelberg powered the offense for the freshmen.
“It was a good bounce back win for us after the tough home loss in extra innings the other day,” said head coach Joey Machado.
The team is now 12-3 overall and 4-2 in league play. This week the Mustangs have a home game on Friday, April 27 against the Lancers of East Union.
