Oakdale High School’s varsity softball girls won the Valley Oak League championship following a 7-1 road win over East Union on Tuesday, May 8. In the season finale, Oakdale scored five runs in the fifth inning to propel them to victory. Oakdale had nine hits in the game and committed no errors in the contest.
In the fourth inning Oakdale scored a handful of runs. Lexi Webb connected on an RBI single that scored Grace Green from second base to go up 1-0. Freshman Riley Goodridge hit an RBI single over the shortstop that scored fellow freshman Dylan Gonzales from second to give Oakdale a 2-0 lead with one out. The next batter, Marissa Moffatt, hit a single through the gap to score Brittany Bye to go up 3-0. The final runs of the inning came off the bat of Chloe Vierra when she hit a single to right field that scored Riley Cassaretto. The next batter was Emily Smith, who was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Oakdale added to its lead with Bye hitting an RBI single down the first base line that scored Green from second base with one out. In the seventh inning Oakdale capped off their offense with a solo home run to left field off the bat of Green.
“East Union is always a tough team, and our biggest rival in VOL. Hitting the home run off a changeup was a surprise to me because she (Shelby Cefalu) has always gotten me on a changeup,” Green said of facing the Lancers pitcher. “Overall it was a good way to go out.”
It was Green’s final OHS regular season game; she will be playing for Oklahoma University in the fall.
Oakdale (20-1, 13-1) won the VOL for the second time in three years.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Also claiming a league title, the Oakdale JV Lady Mustangs capped off a perfect season with an 11-4 road win over East Union. Oakdale went 11-0 in Valley Oak League play and won the VOL championship. In the win Oakdale had eight hits and scored at least one run in six of the seven innings. Rachel Haakma had three hits and two RBI to help lead the team offensively. Also having a big day was pitcher Cortney Koelmans, who pitched a complete game, striking out 11 Lancers. At the plate she went 3-for-4 and drove in a run. Laney Lee hit a solo home run to also help power Oakdale to the championship.
“With a full count and two outs I just swung and connected. I was in shock that it went over, it was my first ever home run,” said Lee.
Head coach Karla Espinoza was very proud of her girls following the season finale.
“It took a special group of girls to have the season we had this year. I’ve never coached a team with this chemistry, talent and attitude.” Espinoza said. “They were a great group of girls and our success was definitely a team effort all season long.”
