The Oakdale High School baseball team entered the 2019 Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs as the number five seed, and took down their first two opponents.

On Tuesday, May 14 the Mustangs hosted El Capitan, the 12 seed, in the opening round. Oakdale blanked the visitors 10-0 in five innings. Then on Friday night the Mustangs defeated Capital Christian 2-0 in nine innings.

In the opening round Oakdale used their bats as well as brilliant pitching from Brett Maddock to defeat the Gauchos. Oakdale hammered a dozen hits against El Capitan including Josh Gerber, Maddock, Austin Meeks and Max Moore each having two hits. Maddock, Meeks and Moore all had two RBI each as well. Alex Daoud had a hit and three RBI in the blowout win.

“I am proud of this team’s grit. This team has the capability to succeed and this is the time to break through,” said Mustangs coach Chris Henry.

On the mound Maddock pitched a complete game shutout. He gave up just three hits and struck out a pair while not walking a batter.

In the second round Oakdale headed north to play Capital Christian. Scoreless through eight innings, Moore broke the tie with a two run home run in the top of the ninth. With one out and facing a 1-1 count Moore sent the ball over the fence and was met by his teammates at home plate.

“I’m glad I was able to help the team,” said Moore, who went 2-for-4 in the contest. “I’m happy we get the chance to keep playing.”

In the bottom of the eighth inning the Cougars appeared to have the Mustangs on the ropes when they had runners on the corners with no outs. But the Oakdale pitching corps got out of the jam unscathed.

Josh Garcia pitched seven innings, giving up just one hit, striking out eight and walking three.

Oakdale then took on the top seed, Buchach Colony. Oakdale lost the game 15-6 and is scheduled to play third seed Atwater on Wednesday, May 22 at Klien Field at UOP. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.