Three times Oakdale came up with rally-killing double plays and held off host Sierra 8-3 to stay a game behind East Union in the Valley Oak League.

The Mustangs (11-1 VOL, 19-7 overall) and East Union will square off in the regular-season finale at Northgate Softball Complex on Wednesday, May 6, at 5 p.m.

The most potent Timberwolves threat squelched via the double play came in the fourth inning. Singles by Julie DeAnda, Lindsey Walljasper (2 for 4, RBI) and Madison Penner loaded the bases with one out. Legacy Barnes (double) came up and ripped a line drive that appeared to be heading for left field when Mustangs shortstop Haley Fuller caught Barnes’s rocket and tossed it to third for the double play.

“We made some dumb mistakes,” Sierra coach Vic DeAnda said. “Three innings of the seven we got doubled off, and that killed us right there.

“You have to be a lot smarter than that when it comes to running to beat a team like this, and that killed off three rallies.”

Oakdale picked up a double play in the first inning and ended the sixth inning for the Timberwolves (9-4, 15-5) with the third double play of the game.

“They hit line drives, but with people on base they hit it right at us,” Mustangs coach Larry Loger said. “Our pitcher (Melanie Benge) did a great job of hanging in there throwing as many pitches as she needed to, which wasn’t easy. But we got those double-play line drives, and that was huge.”

Sierra finally got on the board in the fifth inning when Devi Coglio led off the inning by belting a 2-1 offering over the right-field fence.

“We were down by seven and we just needed base runners,” Coglio said. “All I was looking for was a base hit. I just saw the ball really well just like I did in my previous at bat, but I waited a little longer on the home run.”

Kendelle Messersmith followed Coglio’s shot with a single, advanced to third on a throwing error and came home on an infield single by Lindsey Walljasper. An error led to the other Timberwolves run in the inning to make the score 7-3.



East Union 13,
Lathrop 1 (5)

At Northgate Softball Complex, the Lancers (12-0, 22-2) started the rout with eight straight hits and spotted pitcher Mikayla Bongi seven runs in the opening inning. Bongi pitched all five innings and struck out five while surrendering five hits.

Oregon-bound Cherish Burks was 3 for 4 with four runs and was a homer shy of hitting for the cycle. She led off the bottom of the first with a shot that caromed off the top of the fence.

Michelle Castro finished a perfect 4 for 4 with three runs and two RBIs. Alexis Erich went 2 for 2 with both of her knocks going for doubles. Samantha Owen was also 2 for 2 with two RBIs, and Taylor Ward went 2 for 3.



Manteca 20,
Weston Ranch 0 (5)

At Manteca, sophomore Haighley Kissee produced video game-like numbers for the Buffaloes (7-5, 14-7). On top of firing 12 strikeouts in a four-hitter, she drove in eight runs while going 3 for 4 with a double and a triple at the plate.

Morgan Miranontes was also 3 for 4 and Annissa Gonzalez walloped a pair of doubles. Beth Aschenbrenner and Melissa Hansen each had two knocks and three runs. Rhiannon Genilla plated three runs despite not getting a hit. Manteca totaled 15 games in the mercy-shortened affair.



Sophomore

Manteca 17,
 Weston Ranch 0

Angela Villa highlighted a 3-for-4 effort with a bases-clearing single.

Danielle Burch, Danielle Flores, Koryn Menasco and Eli Murrieta each went 4 for 4. Vanessa Lopez contributed three hits.



East Union 15, Lathrop 3

Gabby Canton clubbed a two-RBI triple for Lathrop. Gwyneth Orlino also legged out a triple, and Jasmine Velasquez played good defene in the infield.