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East Union Blanks Oakdale In Varsity Softball Action
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Following the shutout loss, Oakdale players gathered in the outfield and met with their coaches. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

It was a disappointing performance by the Oakdale Lady Mustangs varsity softball team in their highly anticipated showdown with East Union, as the host Lady Lancers shut out Oakdale 5-0.

The Valley Oak League clash was at East Union on Wednesday, April 12. After a scoreless top of the first, East Union (14-1, 6-0) jumped on Oakdale (11-4, 4-2) with a leadoff home run over the left center field fence by Izabella Owen off Grace Green in the bottom of the first inning. East Union tagged on another run in the frame to take a 2-0 lead into the second inning.

East Union scored two more runs in the fourth inning, with the big hit a ground rule double from Owen. Much like she did in the first inning, she swung a big bat and connected deep to left field, but this time it took a one hop over the fence. By the time the inning was over, though, Oakdale was in a 4-0 hole.

Lady Mustangs head coach Larry Loger tapped sophomore pitcher Lexi Webb to enter the game in the fifth inning to replace Green. Webb got into a jam early when Owen stole home from third to put the Lancers up 5-0. Oakdale’s bright spot of the game came from senior second baseman Shay Trent who fell to her knees and lunged across the bag to grab a sharp hit ground ball that nearly went through to the outfield. Once the ball was in her glove, Trent threw the ball to first baseman Maddy Brewer for the out.

It was a quiet day at the plate for Oakdale as the team did not get their first hit until the seventh inning on a Webb single up the middle to lead the inning off. Oakdale’s next batter, Christina Robinette hit the ball in an identical spot for a single, sending Webb over to second base and getting a runner in scoring position. But Oakdale’s offensive rally came to an end as the next three batters failed to reach base to end the game.

The Lady Mustangs look to get back on the winning track when they take on Kimball on the road today, Wednesday, April 19 at 4 p.m. The Lady Mustangs beat Kimball 2-0 in Oakdale to start the regular season on March 23. Little rest for Oakdale during this Spring Break week, however, as they will compete in the NorCal Tournament at St. Mary’s High School. The three-day tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 20 and conclude on Saturday, April 22.

 

JUNIOR VARSITY

Oakdale lost their first Valley Oak League game this season when they fell to East Union 5-3. Oakdale’s Ashley Martin went 2-for-3 in the game, including a home run in the loss. Cortney Koelmans was in the circle for Oakdale and struck out eight Lancer batters. Oakdale will travel to Kimball today, Wednesday, April 19 and will also take part in the three day NorCal Tournament, Thursday through Saturday.