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Oakdale JV Baseball Earns Trio Of Tournament Wins
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Gideon Laird slides safely into third base for the JV Mustangs during tournament play. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER
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Oakdale freshman Johnny Wylie had a big two days at the plate and on the mound for his team in tournament action this past week. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

The Oakdale High School junior varsity baseball team hosted their annual spring tournament this past week. In the tournament Oakdale knocked off Turlock, Escalon and Gregori. During the event, Oakdale scored a total of 31 runs and only allowed 11.

Like the varsity team this was a tournament to remember the late Mark Dickens. Oakdale’s JV boys opened the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Turlock on Wednesday, April 24. The Mustangs then followed up with a 16-4 win over Escalon on Thursday, April 25.

In the finale Oakdale outlasted Gregori 10-6. In the win Oakdale leaped out to an 8-3 advantage after two innings of play. Their offense went cold in innings three though five, allowing Gregori to close the gap to 8-6 in the fifth inning but didn’t let them get any closer. Oakdale used big bats from Preston Vierra (2-for-4 with three RBI), Carson Cripe (2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI) and Gideon Laird (2-for-4) to get the victory. Starting pitcher Nathan Criswell only allowed one hit through five innings of work.

“Our guys did a great job this week,” said head coach Joey Machado. “The best part about the week was that it was a total team effort, everyone contributed. Whether it was a pinch hit, guys coming out of the pen or whatever. This was a great way to set up the end of league play and I am excited to see how we can finish this year to set the tone for the future.”

As a team Oakdale finished the month of April with a record of 9-0. They return to action on Wednesday, May 1 when they host Central Catholic at 4 p.m. They finish the series at Central Catholic on Friday, May 3 at 4 p.m.

                                                                                                                                           

FRESHMEN

It has been a year to remember for the Oakdale High School freshman baseball team. They clinched the Valley Oak League championship and over spring break the team took first place honors at the 2019 Jim Cantrell Memorial Baseball Tournament. The tournament took place in Hilmar and Oakdale won both of their games to earn the first-place finish. They started the tourney with a 14-4 win over host Hilmar on Tuesday, April 23. Johnny Wylie had five RBI and two hits, a double and a triple, in the game to help lead the team to victory. He also pitched three innings in the game dishing out eight strikeouts. Ryan Krause pitched two strong innings in the win.

The following day Oakdale defeated Mariposa County 17-3 behind another big day from Wylie, who had four RBI. Lex Bairos, Gannon Camp, Krause and Brecken Campbell all had big days at the plate as well.

The freshmen return to action on Monday, May 6 in a home game against Gregori and will travel to Modesto to play Gregori on Wednesday, May 8. Both games are scheduled for 4 p.m.