It was a tough two game series for the Oakdale varsity baseball program. The Mustangs (8-5, 2-2) played a home-and-away series against Sierra (12-3-1, 4-0) this past week. In the Valley Oak League contests, the Timberwolves clawed out a pair of one-run victories over Oakdale.
On Tuesday, April 2 the Mustangs hosted Sierra where Sierra came out on top 4-3. In the contest Oakdale struck first in the bottom of the third inning when Jacob Elting hit into a fielder’s choice RBI to score Brett Maddock from third base. Oakdale’s lead would escape them in the top half of the fifth inning. Sierra scored four runs in that frame. Third baseman Louis Aquila hit a three-run double with to help propel the visitors.
Oakdale answered in the home half of the fifth inning. Down 4-1, the Mustangs scored two runs in the inning as Josh Gerber and Gannon Davis each crossed home plate on RBIs by Alex Daoud and Hayden Knittel.
On the mound for Oakdale was Maddock, who started the game and pitched six innings surrendering four runs and six hits. Maddock also struck out six. Josh Garcia came in the game as a reliever and pitched one inning, striking out the side.
“It’s a tough loss,” said Mustangs coach Chris Henry. “Anytime you lose at home in league play is tough. The boys are resilient and will bounce back. I was pleased with our pitching today. Maddock pitched well.”
Friday night the team traveled to Manteca to try and even the series but fell short 1-0. A scoreless game through the first six innings, the Timberwolves walked off on a base loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Knittel started the game for Oakdale on the mound and in over four innings of work he gave up no runs, just two hits and only walked one. Marcus Juarez entered the game for Oakdale in relief. He gave up four hits and gave up the only run of the game.
This week Oakdale will take on Manteca (11-4, 2-0) in a two-game series. Game one of the series will be Wednesday, April 10 at Oakdale. Friday, April 12 the two teams will do battle in Manteca. The Buffaloes are currently in first place in the standings.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Oakdale earned a 7-6 home win over Sierra on Tuesday afternoon. Their second game was postponed due to rain. No makeup date has been announced.
FRESHMEN
Oakdale youngest baseball players earned an 11-1 home win over Sierra on Thursday, April 4. The Mustangs used a nine-run bottom of the fourth to cruise past the visitors.
