The Oakdale High School varsity baseball Mustangs split their games against Weston Ranch this past week. The Mustangs (11-6, 5-3) hosted Weston Ranch (9-11, 1-7) on Wednesday, April 17 but fell to the visitors 6-3. Oakdale regrouped the next day to defeat the Cougars 5-2 to keep their Valley Oak League championship hopes alive.
In the loss, Oakdale gave up two runs in the first inning and the Cougars followed up with a three-run second inning to jump out to a 5-0 lead. In the third inning Oakdale got on the board when Austin Meeks hit into a fielder’s choice to score Jacob Solorio from third with one out. With no change in the score, Oakdale added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Meeks connected on a one out, two-RBI double to score Alex Daoud and Hayden Knittel to make the score 5-3. However, in the top of the seventh inning, Weston Ranch’s Austin Cappas connected on a solo home run to go up 6-3. Oakdale’s rally in the seventh inning fell short as they left bases loaded with two outs.
On the mound Brett Maddock drew the loss going six innings surrendering eight hits, five earned runs and striking out six.
The next day Oakdale fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but tied it in the second inning and took a 3-2 lead in the third inning. Solorio had an RBI double to help lift the Mustangs and avoid being swept by the Cougars. Daoud had three hits and an RBI. Maddock had two hits. Josh Garcia earned the win on the mound as he pitched five-and-two-thirds innings, gave up just one hit and struck out 14.
This week the boys host the annual Mark Dickens Invitational. The three day tournament began on Monday following The Leader’s press time. Wednesday, April 24 the boys are scheduled to host both Beyer at 12:30 p.m. and Escalon at 3:30 p.m.
Oakdale returns to Valley Oak League action when they take on Central Catholic (8-9, 4-4) for a pair of games. Game one will be Wednesday, May 1 at home and in Modesto on May 3.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Oakdale defeated Weston Ranch in a home-and-home series this past week. They defeated the Cougars 17-1 and 12-1. This week the boys will host their spring tournament that begins on Wednesday, April 24. Oakdale will host Escalon at 11 a.m. to kick off the tourney. On Thursday, April 25 the team welcomes in Turlock for an 11 a.m. start time. The three day tournament concludes on Friday, April 26 when the JV boys host Gregori at 11 a.m.
FRESHMEN
The 2019 Oakdale freshman team claimed the Valley Oak League championship when they defeated Kimball on the road 10-2. In the win Dalton Vargas and Gannon Camp each had two RBI.
“My coaching staff and I have believed all season long that these boys are the very best freshman baseball team out there and this VOL championship proves that,” said head coach Brian Chubon. “I cannot express enough how proud I am of the grit and fight that these boys have displayed.”
