Oakdale scores six in final inning to overcome Central Catholic at Modesto Nuts Showcase

Oakdale High saved its best inning for last in the second matchup of a three-game series against Valley Oak League rival Central Catholic on Friday afternoon at John Thurman Field.

The Mustangs scored six runs in the top of the eighth, breaking open a game that the Raiders tied with a rally of their own in the bottom of the sixth, to secure their first league victory in extra innings, 10-6.

Runs were hard to come by early as Adrian Garcia worked his way out of tough situations, striking out 15 for Central Catholic (3-3, 1-1) and Oakdale’s defense played well behind pitchers Jordan Haver and Donovan Johnson.

Despite being outhit 10-8, the Mustangs held Central Catholic to six runs, half of its total in their first matchup Monday, a game Oakdale lost, 12-8.

“We battled,” Oakdale’s second-year coach Joey Machado said of the team’s effort Friday. “The message was pretty clear on Tuesday in practice that you’ve got to be able to play a complete seven (innings). Our kids did a great job clutching up in those big opportunities we always talk about in practice.”

The Mustangs (3-5-1, 1-1) and Raiders played the second game in the Modesto Nuts’ High School Showcase at John Thurman Field. High school baseball players were given the opportunity to play in a professional ballpark.

“For our kids to have the opportunity to play on a minor league field is one that not many can do,” Machado said. “Thanks to the organization for putting this together and we’re looking forward to the future.”

Four Raiders finished with multiple hits led by TP Wentworth, who had three including a triple. Garcia and Braxton Thomas finished with three RBIs. Oakdale’s Glenn Weber had two hits with a double and three RBIs, and Johnson a hit and three RBIs.

The sides were in a 1-1 tie through the middle innings until Oakdale put together a three-run fifth. The Raiders answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, and Garcia helped himself out at the plate with a two-RBI single to tie the score.

Oakdale’s bats came alive again in the extra inning. The Mustangs brought three runs across early in the frame and loaded the bases with two outs. Johnson promptly lined a triple to left field, driving in three to open up a 10-4 lead.

“I’m not trying to do anything too big,” Johnson said of his mindset with the bases loaded. “I’m just trying to put my barrel on the ball and really focus on mechanics and seeing my pitch.

“You really just can’t let the moment get too big.”

Johnson finished the game on the mound. He gave up a two-run home run to Thomas, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo signee, in the bottom of the eighth but quickly regrouped to force the Raiders’ final two batters into groundouts to end the game.

“We always talk about staying in the moment,” Machado said. “What are you gonna do in that moment when all the money’s on the line? That’s when you win ballgames.”

Machado said the Mustangs got back to basics in practice this week. Oakdale entered Friday looking to rebound from a two-game skid in which they allowed 25 runs. They ended the afternoon scoring nine runs in the game’s final four innings to seal the victory.

“It was just going over the little things again,” he said. “Sometimes in baseball, you think about the big things too much. If you take out the little things, the big things will happen on their own. That was a message from Monday and the boys did a great job today.”