The sunshine lasted just long enough for Oakdale’s varsity baseball boys to compete in the Pedretti Tournament in Turlock this past weekend. Oakdale finished the tournament on a strong note, defeating Lodi 4-1 in their final game of the weekend.
The Mustangs opened the tournament against Modesto on Wednesday, March 9. Oakdale scored four runs in the first inning but lost their lead by giving up a total of five runs in innings two and three to fall behind 5-4. Oakdale regained the lead in the sixth inning as they scored two runs to take a 7-5 advantage. However Modesto tied it at seven in the bottom of the seventh inning, and scored in the eighth to win 8-7. Oakdale committed three errors in the game. Austin Manning went 3-for-4 in the game scoring three runs and added an RBI for Oakdale. Tyler Hall, Bryce Kirk and Logan Hall each had an RBI for Oakdale in the loss.
Oakdale’s next game came against host Pitman where Oakdale fell 9-3 to the Pride. Sean Gingerich, Manning and Tyler Hall each had two hits in the game. Hall and Kirk hit for an RBI each. Pitcher Michael Juarez pitched four-and two-thirds innings giving up seven runs while striking out three batters.
Wrapping up the tournament, Oakdale scored four early runs to put away Lodi on Thursday, March 10. Gingerich went 1-for-3 in the game but hit a two RBI double in the win. Manning earned the win on the mound with his four-plus innings performance. Manning struck out five batters, giving up two hits and walking five.
The Mustangs return home on Wednesday, March 23 when they open the regular season against Manteca. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Junior Varsity
The boys went 2-0 in the Gregori Tournament in Modesto. In a thriller, Oakdale tied with Turlock 7-7, but won the coin flip to earn the win. Sophomore Connor Reed went 1-for-3 with a two-RBI single. Andrew Smith, Austin England, Kyle Seese and Drew Legan each had an RBI in the game. In their second game, Oakdale followed up with a 2-0 shutout victory over Modesto. The Mustangs scored both runs in the second inning. Shawn Merriam pitched a complete game shutout where he fanned eight batters and gave up two hits in the win. Oakdale welcomes Bradshaw Christian to town on Friday, March 18 in the team’s final non-conference game before opening the regular season against Manteca on Wednesday March 23.
Freshmen
The youngest of the baseball boys fell in a pair of home losses in the Oakdale Tournament. Oakdale fell to Lincoln 10-7 in the opener and came up short against Turlock 6-4. Oakdale welcomes Kimball on Thursday, March 17 in the team’s opening Valley Oak League series.
