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Sierra overcomes early mistakes, Weston Ranch
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Sierras Katelynn Perkins is safe at third ahead of the tag by Naomi Thurman of Weston Ranch on Wednesday in a 5-1 Valley Oak League softball win for the Timberwolves at Weston Ranch. - photo by Dave Campbell

STOCKTON — Both teams settled down after a mistake-laden first inning Wednesday,  but Sierra did more damage in its part of the opening inning and went on to a 5-1 Valley Oak League softball win against host Weston Ranch.

The Timberwolves (9-2 VOL, 18-2 overall) put up four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a Lexus Barnes two-run double and an RBI single by Katelynn Perkins. Perkins came in to score on an error for a 4-1 Sierra lead.

“We came out on fire and then went into cruise mode,” Timberwolves coach Nick Olmo said. “And that could be dangerous against Weston Ranch.

“We are talking about a team that nearly took out Manteca, East Union and Oakdale. You just can’t take them lightly.”

Devi Coglio doubled in Gabby Olmo in the fourth inning for the other Sierra run.

Allie Walljasper was outstanding inside the circle and at the plate for the Timberwolves. The Sierra junior was 3 for 4 and after the first inning did not allow a Cougars base runner past second base. Weston Ranch did not hit a ball into the outfield the entire game, striking out 12 times and getting just one hit.

“I had kind of a tough game against Kimball so I was coming out here really focusing on my pitches and getting my movement back,” Walljasper said. “And at the plate I was just trying to see the ball and drive it wherever I could.”

Naomi Thurman snuck a line drive past Walljapser in the first inning for the lone hit for the Cougars (3-8, 12-11). A passed ball and an error got her to third where she came in on another passed ball to draw Weston Ranch within 4-1.

“She (Walljasper) is a great pitcher,” Cougars coach Janelle Bauer said. “Last time we played them we put the ball in play a lot more than we did today. And it didn’t help that in the first inning we had a few errors and spotted them those four runs. If you take that inning and those errors away, it is a whole different game.

“You have to play small ball against a team like this and the bunts weren’t even falling for us today.”