Clinging to a one-run lead going into the sixth inning Monday Oakdale put up six runs behind six consecutive two-out singles on the way to a 7-0 win over host Manteca in Valley

Although the Buffaloes (0-2 VOL) lost, coach Josh Farris was pleased with his team’s effort.  

“To hold them at bay for that long was pretty good for us,” Farris said. “We competed, but at the same time I would like to have won.

“But after Friday’s 10-1 loss at Kimball with probably 10 errors, I will take today. These girls are competing.”

The Mustangs (1-0 VOL, 2-1 overall) struck out 14 and held Manteca to just three hits. Jessica Almeida got two of those hits and was left on third to end the bases-loaded Buffaloes fourth inning. The only other Manteca threat was in the third when Madison Torres drew a leadoff walk and took second on Peyton Faias’ sacrifice bunt. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning. 

“After flying out on my first at-bat I got my timing down,” Almeida said. “Then I was able to see her pitches better so I able to make better contact.”

Not only did Oakdale pitcher Delainey Everett have her way with the Manteca batters, she led the 12-hit Mustangs attack, going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles and two runs. 

Oakdale coach Larry Loger is looking forward to the upcoming VOL season.

“We’re looking forward to getting this league going,” Loger said. “There’s going to be a couple of good teams — Central Catholic and East Union, obviously — and Central Catholic finally has the pitcher they have been looking for.

“We’ve been struggling offensively, but we didn’t that one inning because we made some adjustments.”