NEWMAN – Three home games in four days led to mixed results for the Orestimba High softball team.
Taking on Merced High’s squad in a non-league game at home on Friday, the Warriors had three hits. But the visiting Bears made some noise, which led to a 5-0 win.
“This past week, we faced some strong opponents,” said Orestimba head coach Joaquin Marroquin, whose squad has an 8-4 overall record and 1-2 in the Trans-Valley League. “(Merced and TVL foe Hughson) brought some of the most talented pitchers in the area. Our defense played well enough with limited earned runs, but our offense was unable to produce consistent runs. We left too many runners on the bases and didn’t execute in some key offensive situations.”
Orestimba players Natalie Corella, Salece Machado and Aryanna Arreguin each produced a hit in Friday’s game. But Merced cranked out 12 hits. Madison Cabral and Antonia Lejarde each had three hits.
Orestimba 20, Ripon Christian 3
In between the games against Merced and Hughson, the Warriors hosted the Knights in a TVL contest on Thursday.
Orestimba cranked out 13 hits in this game. That led to scoring six runs in the first, second and third innings for an 18-2 lead. The Knights scored a run each in the top of the second and third.
The game was called after five innings because of the mercy rule.
Corella, along with Machado and Johanna Perez, each had two hits for the Warriors. Seven Orestimba players each had one hit. Cayla Finley and Rae Oliveros each smacked a triple in the game, while Leah Martinez, Corella, Machado, Perez and Haley Starr hit a double.
In the circle, Ellery Gustafson went the distance for the Warriors. She yielded seven hits, struck out six batters and walked one.
Hughson 4, Orestimba 3
In a TVL battle on the Warriors’ diamond on March 17, Hughson led 4-0 entering the bottom of the seventh inning. Then the Warriors pushed across their runs in their final at-bat.
Orestimba outhit the visiting Huskies 6-4. But the Warriors were guilty of committing five errors.
Finley, along with Karina Gonzalez, Oliveros, Corella, Machado and Perez, each had a hit.
Starr, getting the start at pitcher, struck out six Hughson batters, walked one and allowed four hits.
Upcoming games
On Monday, Orestimba hosted Central Valley of Ceres in a non-league game.
The Warriors returned to TVL action on Tuesday, playing at Escalon.
This Thursday, Orestimba plays another non-league game, hosting Atwater at 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.
