NEWMAN – There were a lot of hits between the Orestimba High and Hilmar High softball teams in Thursday’s Trans-Valley League game.

But the host Warriors produced an 8-4 win. This was one of two wins during the week for Orestimba, which improved to 3-3 in the TVL and in fourth place and 11-6 overall.

The Warriors set the tone early in the game against their Westside rivals, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The visiting Yellowjackets recorded their first run in the top of the second frame, but Orestimba added two more runs in its second at-bat for a 5-1 score.

Orestimba scored its final three runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Warriors held a 5-4 lead entering the frame.

The Warriors and Yellowjackets combined for 21 hits. Orestimba had 11 while Hilmar produced 10.

Cayla Finley went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI for the Warriors. Ellery Gustafson followed with a performance at 2-for-4, also had two doubles and two RBIs.

Rae Oliveros, along with Warrior teammates Natalie Corella, Aryanna Arreguin, Salece Machado, Johanna Perez and Hailey Starr each had a hit. Starr also had five RBIs.

Starr went the distance in the circle for the Warriors. She struck out two Hilmar batters and walked one.

Orestimba 15, Sonora 0

The Warriors cranked out 12 hits in their TVL home game against the visiting Wildcats on March 31.

Orestimba, like its game against Hilmar, also scored early and often, which ended the game after five innings because of the mercy rule. The Warriors extended a 2-0 lead after the first inning by scoring seven times in the second for a 9-0 advantage.

The Warriors put up four more runs in the third and two in the fourth for the final total.

Four Orestimba players had two hits each in the game in Finley, along with Machado, Perez and Gustafson.

Finley, plus Corella, Machado and Perez, each clubbed a double.

Perez had a strong performance in driving in runs at three. Machado and Gustafson, plus Finley and Karina Gonzalez, drove in two runs each.

Starr and Gustafson split time in the circle for the Warriors. Starr struck out four Sonora batters and gave up no hits in two innings of work. Gustafson threw three innings, striking out five and allowed no hits.

Upcoming games

The Warriors will compete at the Tracy Classic this Friday and Saturday. Orestimba will open action against Davis High’s squad, out of Yolo County, on Friday at 10 a.m. The Warriors are scheduled to play four games; two on Friday and two more on Saturday.

Then Orestimba resumes TVL action on Tuesday, April 14, playing at Ripon High. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushmedia.