The calendar may say it is still winter, but Oakdale baseball is back in the swing of things. On Friday, Feb. 24 Oakdale hosted Merced and won in convincing fashion, 9-0, in their first non-league game of the 2017 season.

Following a scoreless first inning, Oakdale’s bats came alive for a six-run second inning. Outfielder Corey Hinojosa led the batting expedition with an RBI single to give Oakdale a 1-0 advantage. Two batters later, Oakdale added another run on a bases loaded walk to senior catcher Bryce Kirk. Oakdale’s big bat of the day belonged to senior Nick Moore, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI and a double. In the second inning Moore connected on a two run double to give Oakdale a 4-0 lead and scored a run on an overthrow to home plate later in the inning. Merced errors came into play as Oakdale tagged on the final two runs of the inning on overthrows to first base and home plate.

In the bottom of the third Oakdale scored its seventh run of the day on a Cullen Bearden RBI single. Bearden went 3-for-4 in the win.

Starting pitcher Vito Rodin pitched two innings, giving up one hit, issuing one walk and striking out four in his debut. Rodin also went 1-for-2 at the plate.

Oakdale returns home to host Bear Creek on Friday, March 3 with a 3:30 p.m. start time. The team traveled to Ponderosa on Tuesday, Feb. 28 following The Leader’s press time.

JUNIOR VARSITY

Oakdale swung some heavy bats on Friday against Merced. The JV Mustangs scored four runs in the first, followed up with six more in the second and tagged on four more in the fourth to defeat the visitors 14-3. Alex Daoud, Max Moore and Preston Gookin each had two RBI to help lead the way for Oakdale. Merced pitchers also issued 10 walks in the game. Sophomore Josh Garcia started the game on the mound for Oakdale and gave up two hits, while striking out a pair.