Oakdale High School’s varsity baseball team started their season on the right path. The Mustangs (8-3, 2-0) began the season with a home-and-away series against East Union (8-5, 0-2). The series began on Wednesday, March 27 at East Union with the Mustangs earning a dramatic 3-1 road win. Two days later the Mustangs battled their way to an 8-5 home win.

With the score tied at one in the top of seventh, Oakdale’s Jacob Solorio stood tall in the batters’ box. With the count 2-2 Solorio hit an RBI single that scored Josh Gerber. Austin Meeks connected on a double that scored Solorio to give the Mustangs a win on VOL opening day.

In the fifth inning speedy Dom McDonald got Oakdale on the board when he scored from second on a ground out RBI by Brett Maddock to give the Mustangs a 1-0 advantage. Maddock was also the winning pitcher in the season opener. Maddock pitched a complete game and struck out eight Lancer batters, walked one and gave up four hits.

Friday afternoon, the Mustangs used a five-run second inning to help carry the Mustangs to victory. Down 1-0 in the second inning, Hayden Knittel connected on a two out, two-run double to give Oakdale a 2-1 lead. With the Mustangs adding on to take a 5-1 lead in the fourth, East Union’s Daniel Ruiz blasted a three-run homer to trim the deficit to 5-4.

In the fifth inning Oakdale extended their lead by tacking on two more runs. In the inning Solorio hit a triple and he was brought in on a fielder’s choice by Meeks. Gannon Davis hit an RBI double with two outs. In the sixth Oakdale scored their final run on a RBI double by Solorio that scored Alex Daoud.

“Today was a confidence builder for sure, I’ve been struggling at the plate so I was just glad to help out today,” said Solorio.

On the mound to start the game was Knittel who pitched four innings earning the winning. He struck out five and gave up six hits. Josh Garcia came in the game in relief, pitching three innings, giving up just one hit and striking out eight.

This week Oakdale will take on Sierra, 10-3-1, 2-0, which is coming off a sweep of Central Catholic. Game one of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3 at Oakdale and on Friday, April 5 Sierra will host the Mustangs. Both games are scheduled for 4 p.m.

JUNIOR VARSITY

Oakdale’s JV boys suffered a pair of losses to East Union. In the opener East Union scored four runs in the fifth inning to earn a 4-3 home win. On Friday, March 29 Oakdale fell to East Union 7-3 at home. This week Oakdale will try to get back on track when they take on Sierra.

FRESHMEN

A 2-0 start for the youngest of the Mustangs as they swept East Union. In the two-game series, Oakdale knocked off the Lancers 6-1, 12-1.