Spring sports underway for multiple Mustang squads

It was a satisfying end to the game on the Oakdale High School campus on Monday, March 4 as junior Jordan Haver rapped out the walk off game-winning hit. Here, Haver celebrates as his teammates come in to congratulate him; the victory was a 3-2 decision over Gregori in non-league action. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

O Haver — It was a satisfying end to the game on the Oakdale High School campus on Monday, March 4 as junior Jordan Haver rapped out the walk off game-winning hit. Here, Haver celebrates as his teammates come in to congratulate him; the victory was a 3-2 decision over Gregori in non-league action. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

Warmer weather has arrived on the Oakdale High School campus and some spring sports teams have already started their preseason action while others will begin this week. The winter season has also officially concluded, with the soccer girls wrapping it up with an appearance in the NorCals in late February.

BASEBALL

Friday evening, March 1 Oakdale High School varsity baseball traveled to Ripon for a non-conference showdown. Down 2-1 entering the fourth inning, the Mustang bats woke up and the team scored six runs to help power their way past the Indians 9-2.

Helping lead the way for the Mustangs were Carlo Antinetti (three RBI, two runs scored, double); Eric Velazquez (three hits, two runs scored); Landon Schutte (two hits, two RBI).

Pitching for Oakdale was Trey Parsons getting credit for the win, no earned runs allowed, three-and-a-third innings pitched, one hit, five strikeouts and a pair of walks. Tommy Chance worked two-and-two-thirds innings giving up five hits, two earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Colby Crofts pitched one inning. Crofts had a perfect inning, striking out the side.

Oakdale improved to 4-0 with a 3-2 walk off win on the home field Monday, March 4. They hosted Gregori and Jordan Haver drove in Tommy Chance for the winning run. In earlier action, Oakdale beat Sonora 15-3 and Atwater 12-2. Those games were both on the road.

Oakdale will return to the road this week as they travel to Turlock to face Pitman on Wednesday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m. and Friday afternoon the boys travel to Lodi for a 3:30 p.m. start time.

SOFTBALL

On the diamond, the varsity Lady Mustangs have started out strong, going 3-0 to start the preseason schedule. They took a 15-0 win off the diamond against Ceres on Feb. 26 and then played a pair of games on Wednesday, Feb. 28 with a 3-0 win over Gregori and handling Lincoln by a 4-1 final. The girls will host Tracy on Wednesday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m.; Monday, March 11 Oakdale will host Lincoln at 4 p.m.

UPCOMING

Boys tennis will play on Wednesday, March 6 as Oakdale hosts Merced at 3 p.m. Valley Oak League play begins on Thursday, March 7 on the road at Kimball at 3 p.m.

Track and field will host Escalon in a scrimmage on Wednesday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m.; Friday, March 8 Oakdale will travel to Riverbank for the annual Stanislaus County Meet at 2 p.m. The team will host Central Catholic on Wednesday, March 13 at 3:30 p.m.

For the golf team, action on Monday, March 4 saw the squad compete in the Yellowjacket Invitational at Turlock Golf and Country Club following The Leader’s press time. Monday, March 11 Oakdale will host The Oakdale 100 beginning at 10:30 a.m.

SOCCER FINALE

Closing out the winter season, the Oakdale varsity Lady Mustang soccer girls traveled to the NorCals on Feb. 27, going in as the number eight seed in Division III and facing the top seed University Red Devils out of San Francisco. It was a 3-2 loss for the girls on the road, ending their season. Claire McGee Brown and Kyra Binstock tallied the Oakdale goals with assists from Mia Peterson and Kyleigh Melconian. Oakdale ended with an 18-8-3 overall record and claimed the Valley Oak League title again this season.

Leader Editor Marg Jackson contributed to this report.

Oakdale’s varsity Lady Mustangs gather for a team huddle and cheer; they won the Valley Oak League title and made it to the Section finals, losing there, before moving on to represent the school and community in the NorCals. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

O soccer 3-6 — Oakdale’s varsity Lady Mustangs gather for a team huddle and cheer; they won the Valley Oak League title and made it to the Section finals, losing there, before moving on to represent the school and community in the NorCals. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

Senior Bailey Peterson puts the bat on the ball here in earlier varsity softball action on the home diamond. Oakdale shut out Ceres 15-0 via mercy rule on Feb. 26 and also has a couple more victories in the preseason so far. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

peterson — Senior Bailey Peterson puts the bat on the ball here in earlier varsity softball action on the home diamond. Oakdale shut out Ceres 15-0 via mercy rule on Feb. 26 and also has a couple more victories in the preseason so far. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

Diving head first across home plate before the ball reaches the catcher, Oakdale’s Tommy Chance brought in the winning run, off a hit from teammate Jordan Haver, for a walk off win Monday, March 4 against Gregori. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

chance 3-6 — Diving head first across home plate before the ball reaches the catcher, Oakdale’s Tommy Chance brought in the winning run, off a hit from teammate Jordan Haver, for a walk off win Monday, March 4 against Gregori. Jeff Kettering/The Leader

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