It was a tremendous Tuesday.
On March 20, huge Valley Oak League contests swung Oakdale’s way as Mustang golf and softball teams battled to important conference victories against their toughest conference opposition.
Softball
Oakdale High senior pitcher Shelby Reali is going to have to don a red cape if she keeps this up. Reali out-dueled Sierra standout Allie Walljasper in a thrilling 1-0 Oakdale victory for the VOL lead on March 20. Reali kept runners off the base paths with just two walks, two hits and 11 strikeouts in seven full innings of work. Her complete game victory bested a loss handed to reigning section champion pitcher, Walljasper, who went six innings with two walks, two hits and 12 strikeouts.
Oakdale scored in the fifth inning after Stephanie Fauria belted a pinch-hit RBI single for the only tally. Fellow seniors Ghianna Falconi and Kaila Olson also connected for base hits in the victory.
“Our players had the excitement level they needed to beat the section champions,” Oakdale coach Larry Loger said. “Our seniors led us through this one, getting all of our hits including the game winner from Stephanie Fauria and a great pitching performance from Shelby Reali. Our defense made every play they were faced with.”
Oakdale went on to blast Weston Ranch 11-1 two days later. Reali tossed five sharp innings while Anneliese Davis threw a scoreless sixth. Falconi scored three runs while Olson was 1-for-3 with a run. Sarah Peterson also hit 1 for 2 with a run and RBI while Fauria (1 for 3), Francesca Orvis (1 for 2, run) and Melinda Koppinger (2 for 3, triple, four RBIs) all came through at the plate.
Oakdale scored six first inning runs and rallied to three more in the seventh.
“Another good pitching performance by Shelby Reali,” Loger said. “Putting six runs up in the first took all the pressure off. We kept our focus and played well the whole game.”
Oakdale’s junior varsity team beat Sierra in a 5-0 contest after a solid effort from pitcher Megan Reali (five strikeouts, four hits). Madison Gambini batted 2 for 3 with a run and RBI while Cherish Harlan was 1 for 2 with two runs.
“Our girls really came out ready to play,” Oakdale coach Allison Branco said. “We had some girls step up and get big hits when we needed it and make great clutch defensive plays. Reali pitched very strong just like she has all year.”
The JV Lady Mustangs went on to ease past Weston Ranch in a 10-0 win two days later. Markie Taylor and Gambini combined for a no-hitter across five innings with six combined strikeouts and two total walks allowed. Reali batted 2 for 2 with two runs, a triple and three RBIs while Caylie O’Neal hit 2 for 3 with two runs. Alexis Tidball was also 1 for 2 with two runs and two RBIs.
Golf
Returning last year’s top two Valley Oak League golfers made East Union’s boys golf team an immediate favorite to win a conference title in 2012. Beating East Union in convincing fashion made an even stronger impression for Oakdale’s deep and talented golf program. The Mustangs carded incredible scores across their lineup to snare a convincing 196-214 win over the Lancers at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club on March 20. Ian Stogdell shot a 38 on the difficult par-36 course while Ryan Jones, Isaac Rellamas and Vince Fauria all carded a 39. Michael Tripp shot a 41 as well. East Union was led by 2011 VOL-point leaders Jordan Duval and Will Brink, who shot a 39 and 40 respectively. East Union’s last three scores of 42, 44 and 49 failed to compete with Oakdale’s deep line of low scores.
“I was very happy for our guys,” Oakdale coach Lee McGhee said.
East Union went on to blast past upstart Kimball in a 199-224 victory just two days later. Jones and Rellamas each shot a 39 while Stogdell (40), Tripp (40), Wikoff (41) and Fauria (43) all had solid scores. Oakdale easily bested Sierra in a 205-243 make-up win on March 23. Stogdell shot a 37 while Rellamas ended in 39 strokes and Jones in 41. Fauria (43) and Tripp (45) also played well. Oakdale is 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the VOL.
