The Mustangs faced East Union twice this past week. On Tuesday, March 25 the boys packed up and headed to Manteca to face the Lancers in Valley Oak League action, then returned home to face the Lancers again in front of the Mustang faithful on Thursday, March 27. The Mustangs were impressive in the sweep, winning 13-0 and 11-1.
Bryce Dyrda was on the hill for Oakdale on Tuesday and was simply unhittable as he pitched his way to a no-hitter in the Mustangs’ 13-0 road victory. Dyrda struck out nine and walked three in his first ever no-no.
“The team victory is always priority number one, but it’s nice to have a no hitter under your belt,” Dyrda proclaimed. “Never underestimate a team and East Union is a good team. I knew I had to throw early strikes and focus on one batter at a time. I had great support from my teammates. They played great defense and the bats came alive. It’s an unwritten rule, not to talk about it while it’s happening, you just need to keep pitching through the lineup one batter at a time.”
“He over matched their hitters, one by one. The scary thing is, that he’s just scratching the surface. He looked good,” added Coach Nate Gregory on Dyrda’s performance.
The team looked to continue their winning ways against East Union as they welcomed them to Oakdale on Thursday afternoon. Taylor Leach started the game for Oakdale and came out strong in the victory. Leach struck out the side to start the game. Oakdale continued to swing big bats as they got to East Union’s starting pitcher, Lucas Garcia, early and often. Trenton Pierson got things rolling for Oakdale as he led the bottom of the first off with a single, followed by a double from Tanner Morgan. Dyrda batted third and continued to have a big week against East Union as he swung and connected on a two-RBI single sending in both Pierson and Morgan to give Oakdale a 2-0 lead after one. East Union would cut the lead down to 2-1 in the top of the third as the ball got away from freshman catcher Bryce Kirk and East Union’s Jacob Danhoff slid into home for the Lancers’ only run of the two game series.
The Mustangs would answer back in the bottom half of the third as they tacked on three more runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead.
Leach would retire the side as he fanned all three batters in order in the fourth. Oakdale’s bats would erupt in the bottom of the fifth as they scored six runs to complete the home and home sweep of East Union.
“I got a lot of support from my teammates today. I entered the game focused and calm. Things are starting to click for us, and we hope to carry it through the rest of the season,” Leach said of the team’s victory.
Leach struck out eight and walked three to earn his second victory of the season. “Taylor had a great outing today. He has worked hard and made progress this week,” Gregory said.
The Mustangs are now 4-0 against league opponents and carry a 7-3 record overall. Oakdale faced Weston Ranch in Oakdale on Tuesday, April 1 (after press time) and will travel to face them again in Stockton on Thursday, April 3.
