In a three-game series against Manteca, the Oakdale High School varsity baseball team started the series with a victory but then lost back-to-back contests. The series began on March 25, and concluded on March 28. Following the series Oakdale is now 3-3 in Valley Oak League play and are currently in third place behind East Union and Manteca.
In the series opener, Oakdale hosted Manteca and walked away with a 6-4 victory. Oakdale trailed 3-0 early but used a five-run bottom of the sixth inning to pull ahead 6-3. Tommy Chance led the team in hits as he went 2-for-3. Glen Weber had a pair of RBI and Griffin Costa, Eric Velazquez and Reid Grandstaff each added one RBI. Pitcher Landon Schutte earned the win behind his six-and-two-thirds inning outing. Schutte gave up eight hits and struck out eight in the win. Trey Parsons earned the save.
Game two was held in Manteca and the home team hung four runs in the fourth inning to defeat Oakdale 4-2. The Mustangs were held to just four hits in the road loss. Christian Diebner had two of those hits, including a double. Talan Abel drove in a run and Carlo Antinetti got a hit. Oakdale used two pitchers in the game. Colby Crofts pitched three scoreless innings while Trey Parsons pitched three innings resulting in four earned runs on four hits.
The series finale was held at Oakdale. Much like game two, Manteca used a four run fourth inning to pull away from Oakdale to get the 6-3 win. The Mustangs offensive struggles continued as they only had two hits. Weber and Schutte collected the lone hits for the home team. On the hill for the Mustangs were Jordan Haver and Ayden Ardis. Haver pitched four innings giving up six hits and five earned runs. Ardis surrendered a handful of hits but did not give up any runs or walks. He did strike out three.
Oakdale hosted its annual Mark Dickens Invitational this week during Spring Break, featuring games Monday through Wednesday, April 1 through 3 with teams including Hughson, Central Valley, Escalon, Los Banos, Downey, Las Plumas, Wheatland and Oakdale.
The Mustangs return to action on April 8 for a three-game series against the first place East Union Lancers. Game one will be held at East Union, while game two will take place April 10 at Oakdale and the finale will be held on April 12 at East Union. All games are scheduled for 4 p.m.
