Lucas Stackpole saved his best for his last Valley Oak League appearance with Sierra on Friday.
The senior pitcher threw a one-hitter in the Timberwolves’ regular-season finale, as they downed visiting Oakdale 8-1 and got a needed boost heading ito the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
They were able to salvage a win in after dropping the first two in the three-game set with the runner-up Mustangs (10-5, 13-11-1 overall). Sierra (9-6, 12-12), which finished in third place, broke it open with a seven-run flurry in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“It was a great day for Sierra baseball and Lucas Stackpole.,” Sierra coach Travis Thomson said. “Lucas is a great kid and absolutely deserves what happened today. We are so proud of him and his performance. Couldn't have happened to a better kid.
“Today, he had four different pitches working and had Oakdale off balance all game. Lucas is a competitor out there, and he cares so much about doing his job.”
Stackpole was perfect through three innings, finishing with four strikeouts and three walks.
The Timberwolves scored first in the third inning, when Troy Morrow reached on an error and scored on Jack Cunial’s sacrifice bunt. Oakdale answered in similar fashion, as Jordan Haver knocked in Gabe McDonald (walked) with a sac bunt.
In the bottom half, Rudy Barney, Tyler Looney, Nikko Camarena and Angel Valdez (doubled) each came through with RBI hits. Valdez ended up 2 for 4. Jorge Guevara also had a double.
The offensive onslaught was the cherry on top of a complete effort for Sierra.
“Our defense played an amazing game behind Lucas today,” Thomson said. “Tyler, Andruw (Navarro), and Angel made some outstanding plays in the infield today to support Lucas and keep the no-hitter alive.”
The postseason begins next Tuesday.
East Union 9, Kimball 3
At Agostini Field, the Lancers (7-8, 13-10 overall) capped a three-game sweep of Kimball (0-15, 2-22) while grabbing the fourth final available playoff berth in the VOL.
East Union got a dominant, combined pitching effort from Ashton Heath (four innings, one hit, eight strikeouts) and Zach Grabowski (three innings, three runs five hits, nine strikeouts).
The Lancers led 4-0 in the middle of the fifth inning but race away with five runs in the sixth. Dylan Lee highlighted the staggering rally with a two-run homer.
Ace Avelar (RBI, three steals) and Blake Mount (two RBIs) both went 2 for 3 with two runs to anchor the attack.
Central Catholic 6, Manteca 2
Needing a win to qualify for the postseason, the Buffaloes (7-8 VOL, 15-11 overall) came up short with the loss in Modesto.
Scoreless after three innings, league champion Central Catholic (12-3, 16-7-1) took a 5-0 lead going into the sixth. Pitcher Adrian Garcia took it from there, ending with eight strikeouts.
Landon Chamberlain went 2 for 3 with an RBI for Manteca. Alex Murrietta drove in the other run, and Rex Watson added a double.
