All three levels of Oakdale baseball competed in tournaments this past week, with freshmen, JV and varsity all getting in some solid action. The varsity boys traveled to Turlock to participate in the Pedretti Tournament at Pedretti Park. The Mustangs played three games and went 3-0 to share first place with Gregori. Eight teams played in the tournament. The three day tournament began on Thursday, March 9 and concluded on Saturday afternoon.
Oakdale began their impressive run with a 5-1 victory over Pitman. Pitman led 1-0 until Oakdale tied it in the seventh inning. The Mustangs scored four runs in the eighth to put away the Pride. Senior Cullen Bearden went 2-for-4 in the win with two runs batted in on a double. Also having RBI in the game were Michael Juarez, Dane Gibson and Vito Rodin. Rodin started the game on the mound going six-and-two-thirds innings, giving up three hits and striking out two. The winning pitcher for the Mustangs was Dakota McNeil.
The next day the varsity Mustangs completed another comeback, defeating Modesto 5-3. With a 2-0 lead for Oakdale, Modesto plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Oakdale was not rattled and scored three in the seventh to take the victory. Bearden and Rodin continued to swing big bats for Oakdale having two RBI each. Nick Moore and Jordon Williams each added one RBI in the win. Blake Whiting started the game and pitched five innings but it was Blake Manning who earned the win, going two innings.
Oakdale finished the tournament strong with a 13-0 shutout over former Valley Oak League rival, Sonora. Highlighting the game was Bearden’s 2-for-3 outing, including smashing a home run on his way to a four RBI afternoon. Bearden finished the tournament 6-for-11 with 8 RBI. Michael Juarez started the game for Oakdale and earned his first win of the season.
The Mustangs hosted Pitman on Tuesday, March 14 in a non-league contest following The Leader’s press time. Oakdale begins Valley Oak League play on Tuesday, March 21 on the road against Manteca. The Mustangs host Manteca on Thursday, March 23 with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
The junior varsity team headed to East Modesto for the three day Gregori Tournament. Oakdale went 2-1 in three games. Oakdale opened the tournament on Thursday, March 9 and handed Modesto an 11-0 loss. The JV Mustangs racked up 10 RBI on nine hits. Crafting a multi-hit game was Preston Gookin, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI in the win. Colton Walker also had a big day at the plate going 1-for-2 with a two RBI single. Sophomore Justin Jericoff earned the win, pitching four strong innings, giving up only two hits.
Taking the field on Friday, March 10 for their second game of the tournament, the JV boys fell 2-1 to Turlock. The game was tied at one, but Turlock scored the game winning run in the seventh inning. Oakdale mustered six hits, two from Alex Daoud. He also took the hard luck loss in the game, pitching one inning, giving up two hits and a run. Josh Garcia started the game for Oakdale going six innings surrendering one hit and striking out three.
Oakdale bounced back from the tough loss with a 2-0 victory over host Grergori. Sophomore Hayden Knittel brought in both runs on two sacrifice flies to power Oakdale to the win. Knittel also was the winning pitcher, pitching five full innings.
FRESHMEN
The youngest of the Mustangs baseball teams hosted their annual spring tournament and went 2-1 in the eight-team tournament. The team fell to Lincoln 10-7 in the first round, but bounced back for two wins, beating Modesto 15-2 and Turlock 7-4.
