Four games into the Valley Oak League season and the Oakdale High School Mustangs are a perfect 4-0. The first place Mustangs defeated East Union in a home and away series with the Lancers, 12-2 and 10-1 this past week.
On Tuesday, March 28 the boys hosted East Union where Oakdale leaped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and did not look back. Helping power Oakdale to the early lead was Cullen Bearden’s three run triple with two outs in the first inning.
“I was focused on his fast ball. That’s what he was throwing early and when I saw it coming I made contact,” Bearden said.
He is hitting .286 with a dozen RBI this season and credits his early season success to his hard work.
“Last year I was really just focused on football to be honest. But this year I am focused on both sports (football and baseball). A big credit to my turnaround goes to Coach Joe Peterson. He holds workouts on Sundays and I have taken advantage of that opportunity this year,” Bearden said.
On the mound for Oakdale was senior Vito Rodin, who pitched four strong innings giving up just a handful of hits and striking out three. At the plate, Rodin went 3-for-3 and racked up six RBI in the win. This was Rodin’s third win of the season and he has an ERA of 0.54 in 26 innings of work.
“I was just trying to get strikes early. Our group is positive and we have fun together. I think this team is off to a good start because we all get along and are playing for a common goal,” Rodin noted.
Also having a big day at the plate was Blake Whiting who had three hits.
Two days later the team traveled to Manteca to clash with the Lancers. Once again the Mustangs took an early lead as they put up two runs in the first inning. The break out inning was in the third where they scored three runs. Senior Blake Maddock swung a heavy bat in the road win going 3-for-4 and driving in four runs in the win. Nick Moore also helped the Mustangs to victory with his two RBI day.
The Mustangs traveled to Lathrop on Tuesday following The Leader’s press time and will host Lathrop on Thursday, April 6 at 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
The Mustangs swept East Union, winning 6-1, 4-0 against the Lancers. Alex Daoud went 2-for-4 with two RBI to help the Mustangs to victory in their first meeting. Max Moore and Isaac Higle each had doubles. Josh Garcia was credited with the home win. In the road victory, Jacob Sokirio had a two-RBI triple to help lead the team to victory. Oakdale is now 2-2 in league play.
FRESHMEN
The youngest baseball Mustangs went 1-1 this week as they fell to Central Catholic 11-1 on the road but bounced back with a 13-4 home win over East Union on Friday, March 31. No official stats for the games were provided to The Leader by press time. Today, Wednesday, April 5 the boys host Manteca at 4 p.m. and will host the Jaguars of Kimball on Friday, April 7 with a start time of 4 p.m.
