NEWMAN – Two Trans-Valley League games last week led to a split decision for the Orestimba High softball team.

Here is the breakdown of those games for the Warriors, who are still in contention to earn a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth.

Escalon 9, Orestimba 6

Playing at home on Thursday, Orestimba (4-6 in the TVL, 15-10 overall) held a 4-3 lead going into the top of the fourth inning. That is when the visiting Cougars scored four times to take a 7-4 lead.

The Warriors trimmed the Cougars’ lead to 7-5 at the bottom of the same inning. But Escalon added two more runs in the sixth. Orestimba added its final run in the bottom of the sixth.

Orestimba finished with eight hits. Escalon’s bats were busy, producing 14 hits.

Natalie Corella and Hailey Starr each had two hits for the Warriors. Corella and Karina Gonzalez each smacked a double.

Four Orestimba players each had one hit. Leadoff hitter Cayla Finley, along with Gonzalez, Victoria Silva and Rae Oliveros recorded those hits.

Orestimba 12, Ripon Christian 0

In a road game on April 22, the Warriors scored in four of the five innings. They finished with 10 hits.

Salece Machado went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs for the Warriors. Starr had four RBIs

Leah Martinez, who also had two RBIs, joined Orestimba teammate Ellery Gustafson with two hits each.

In the circle, Gustafson went the distance for the Warriors, giving up three hits, struck out five batters and walked none.

Upcoming games

On Thursday, Orestimba makes the trip into the foothills to play at Sonora High.

The Warriors host rival Hilmar on Tuesday, May 5.

Both games are scheduled to start 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.