The weather was just nice enough to fit in the Oakdale High School softball game on Tuesday, Feb. 26. With light ran and heavy winds, the Lady Mustangs hosted Elk Grove in the season opener. A pitching duel between Oakdale’s Lexi Webb and Elk Grove’s Ava Hand saw a scoreless game until the bottom of the sixth inning. That’s when host Oakdale scored three runs to win 3-0 over the visitors.
Both teams had several opportunities throughout the game to get on the scoreboard early but could not cash in. In the bottom of the first, Oakdale had runners on first and second with no outs but would leave them stranded. Elk Grove also had struggles early as they left the bases loaded in the top of the second inning.
Webb got help from her defense as outfielder Mariyn Waterman came up with a basket catch to rob Elk Grove’s leadoff hitter Ariy Miranda of a sure double with one out in the third inning. Later in the inning Kate Wolf sent a deep fly ball to centerfield and outfielder Alexa Aguilar made a diving catch to end the inning. Webb pitched a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts and gave up five hits.
In the top of the fifth inning, Elk Grove once again put runners in scoring position only to leave them there as Webb struck out the final batter.
In the bottom of sixth, Oakdale’s offense came alive when Jazzy Velasquez advanced to second base on a failed pickoff attempt by Elk Grove at first base with no outs. Aguilar’s slow roller up the middle gave her enough time to beat out the throw at first. With one out, Webb sent the ball deep to the outfield for an RBI double for the first run of the game. First baseman Courtney Koelmans brought in two runs on an RBI double for the final runs of the game.
Wednesday’s road game against Gregori was rained out and has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 23.
JUNIOR VARSITY
In their lone game of the week, Oakdale defeated Elk Grove 10-2 on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Oakdale High School. Bailey Hardy started the game for Oakdale and pitched three innings giving up just one hit. Katelynn Silva entered the game in relief of Hardy and pitched the final three innings. Silva had five strikeouts and allowed no hits while issuing two walks.
Offensively Oakdale had 11 hits including a multi-hit game by Amanda Bricker who had a double and two RBI. Kylie Valente went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Sophia Ortiz also went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and scored a run. Most of the damage was done in the second inning when Oakdale scored five runs as Ortiz and Rachel Haakma combined for five RBI. Like the varsity team, the JV’s scheduled road game against Gregori has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 23.
