The Sierra Timberwolves were able to tack on a pair in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it would not be enough in their 3-2 Valley Oak League loss to Oakdale Tuesday.
Oakdale’s Marissa Toy kick-started the visiting Mustangs’ offense with a leadoff homerun to open the contest. Sierra hurler Gabby Hawkins settled down, holding the Mustangs quiet for five innings, before they touched her for two more in the top of the seventh.
Hawkins held Oakdale to just six hits, but three Sierra errors proved costly in the meeting between two of the league’s best pitchers.
“Gabby did a good job,” Sierra head coach Nick Olmo said. “She struck out 12 and only allowed four hits, it was untimely errors in that seventh inning that really did us in.”
Oakdale’s Brianna Parker was amazing, striking out 16 and holding the Timberwolves to just five hits. Sierra’s offense was quiet most of the contest, but chipped away to give themselves a chance in the game’s final three outs.
The Timberwolves were able to get a couple of outs in the final frame, but an errant throw proved costly, plating Oakdale’s final two runs. Sierra would score a pair in the last inning, compounding the pain of the runs donated to Oakdale.
“We pretty much undid ourselves in that seventh inning,” Olmo said. “We had a good go at it in that last inning getting girls to second and third, but we just couldn’t get the job done.
“Their pitcher threw a very good game; she did a good job of keeping us off balanced.”
Randi Heriford was the only Timberwolf to finish with multiple hits, going 2 for 3 in the loss. Chelsea Baretta went 1 for 3 and scored a run, while Heriford scored the other. Allsion Smith, Jessica Lewis, Daylynn Penner all tallied hits as well, with Penner and Smith driving in runs.
The Indians had an opportunity to clip the Crusaders in both teams’ second Trans Valley League contest, but were unable to get anything going in the batter’s box against Crusader pitcher Britttani McGue. McGue was nearly unhittable, squandering a harmless double to Ripon’s Nicole Kaiser for her only mistake of the game.
McGue struck out 12 and walked three over seven innings of work.
Both Kirsten Mortimer and Nicole Kaiser did all they could for Ripon, combining for eight strikeouts and only giving up four hits. One of those hits came off the bat of McGue, who also knocked in the only run of the contest.
The Indians (0-2 TVL, 4-2) will try and get back on the right track when they play host to the Ripon Christian Knights Thursday at 4 p.m.
Oakdale’s Marissa Toy kick-started the visiting Mustangs’ offense with a leadoff homerun to open the contest. Sierra hurler Gabby Hawkins settled down, holding the Mustangs quiet for five innings, before they touched her for two more in the top of the seventh.
Hawkins held Oakdale to just six hits, but three Sierra errors proved costly in the meeting between two of the league’s best pitchers.
“Gabby did a good job,” Sierra head coach Nick Olmo said. “She struck out 12 and only allowed four hits, it was untimely errors in that seventh inning that really did us in.”
Oakdale’s Brianna Parker was amazing, striking out 16 and holding the Timberwolves to just five hits. Sierra’s offense was quiet most of the contest, but chipped away to give themselves a chance in the game’s final three outs.
The Timberwolves were able to get a couple of outs in the final frame, but an errant throw proved costly, plating Oakdale’s final two runs. Sierra would score a pair in the last inning, compounding the pain of the runs donated to Oakdale.
“We pretty much undid ourselves in that seventh inning,” Olmo said. “We had a good go at it in that last inning getting girls to second and third, but we just couldn’t get the job done.
“Their pitcher threw a very good game; she did a good job of keeping us off balanced.”
Randi Heriford was the only Timberwolf to finish with multiple hits, going 2 for 3 in the loss. Chelsea Baretta went 1 for 3 and scored a run, while Heriford scored the other. Allsion Smith, Jessica Lewis, Daylynn Penner all tallied hits as well, with Penner and Smith driving in runs.
Modesto Christian 1, Ripon 0
SALIDA – Offensively Ripon High’s softball team was only able to produce a single hit and Modesto Christian plated the only run they would need in the bottom of the first, during their 1-0 win over the Indians Tuesday.The Indians had an opportunity to clip the Crusaders in both teams’ second Trans Valley League contest, but were unable to get anything going in the batter’s box against Crusader pitcher Britttani McGue. McGue was nearly unhittable, squandering a harmless double to Ripon’s Nicole Kaiser for her only mistake of the game.
McGue struck out 12 and walked three over seven innings of work.
Both Kirsten Mortimer and Nicole Kaiser did all they could for Ripon, combining for eight strikeouts and only giving up four hits. One of those hits came off the bat of McGue, who also knocked in the only run of the contest.
The Indians (0-2 TVL, 4-2) will try and get back on the right track when they play host to the Ripon Christian Knights Thursday at 4 p.m.
— Jagada Chambers
