STOCKTON – Hopes for another Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title fell short for the Timberwolves Saturday at Arnaiz Softball Stadium.

In the championship game, Sierra High (18-6-1) was edged out by Valley Oak League rival Oakdale, 3-1.

“They did what they had to do,” said Timberwolves coach Nick Olmo of the Mustangs.

He was proud of his team’s 4-1 do-or-die victory in the first game.

“Our goal was to make it to the championship game and we did just that,” Olmo said.

In the win, Sierra not only took the early lead but maintained the momentum throughout the game.

Iyana Hughes keyed the attack with a two-run double in the fourth. The speedy junior outfielder had two hits and drove in three runs.

The Timberwolves were the first team in the three-day event to jump ahead of Oakdale. Katelynn Perkins drew a lead-off walk, Lexus Barnes singled, and Gianna Lenoci reach on an error to load the bases in the second inning.

Hughes then worked the count for a walk, plating Perkins as Sierra grabbed a 1-0 lead.

On the previous day, Oakdale (27-3-1) rolled past the mistake-prone Timberwolves, who managed to clean things up in time for the finale.

“We were a lot more focused,” OImo said.

After the Mustangs tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning – sophomore outfielder Hanna Holland led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice, and scored on a passed ball – Sierra rallied in the fourth to force the title game.

Sophomore hurler Ally Walljasper kept Oakdale in check by allowing two hits, walking two and fanning six.

Defensively, shortstop Gianna Lenoci robbed the Mustangs of a lead-off hit in the fourth by making a running grab towards the third base line.

In the title game, Oakdale jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ghianna Falconi led off with an infield hit, advancing to second on a rare balk call. She scored on Sarah Peterson’s hit to left. Holland plated Peterson on an RBI single.

In the third, the Timberwolves mounted their best threat of the game.

Hughes got it started with a one-out walk. She advanced into scoring position on Walljasper’s line drive hit to left, scoring on Sommer Wilson’s single to right.

Sierra had a chance to tie the game on a Perkins single. But the Mustangs cut the runner down on a close play at the plate thanks to a strong relay throw from the outfield.

Oakdale added an insurance run in the fifth. Lauren Sanders, who replaced third baseman Shelby Cordova – she was injured early in the first game trying to field a bunt attempt by Gabby Olmo – delivered an RBI single, plating Olson, who had a one-out hit.

Mustangs senior hurler Shelby Reali scattered four hits, issued two walks with six strikeouts to help her team win its fourth section crown.