The 2017 Valley Oak League softball season got underway for Oakdale’s Lady Mustangs this past week, though it was delayed by 24 hours. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 22, Oakdale’s home game against Kimball was postponed that day due to rainy weather. When the girls took the field on Thursday, Oakdale jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first and behind lights out pitching by Grace Green, Oakdale held on for a 2-0 home win. Green pitched seven strong innings, giving up just two hits and no walks.

Green also did damage at the plate for Oakdale, as the junior went 2-for-3 with two RBI on a single and a double. Sophomore Lexi Webb notched a pair of hits in the game as well to help Oakdale win their first outing of the VOL campaign.

“Our pitching once again showed to be our strong point. Grace pitched our fourth shutout for a combined 10 runs in 10 games,” head coach Larry Loger said.

The Lady Mustangs were scheduled to travel to Weston Ranch on Friday, but that game was cancelled due to weather and field conditions. The game has been rescheduled to Monday, April 3 with a 4 p.m. start time.

The Lady Mustangs will host Manteca Wednesday, March 29 and are scheduled to travel to Lathrop on Friday, March 31 to take on the Spartans. Both games are scheduled for 4 p.m.

JUNIOR VARSITY

The junior varsity girls earned a 7-4 win over visiting Kimball on Thursday. Oakdale’s win included multiple girls getting multiple hits as Emily Smith went 4-for-4, Laney Lee went 2-for-2, Nikki Ibarra went 3-for-4 and Courtney Koelmans went 3-for-4 in the win. That was the JV’s only action of the week; this week they will host Manteca on Wednesday, March 29 at 4 p.m.