Central Valley High School's varsity baseball team almost pulled off a major upset in head coach Greg Magni's absence.
The visiting Hawks lost 1-0 to defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and Valley Oak League champion Oakdale in Game 2 of their Valley Oak League series last Friday.
"We competed," Magni said. "That's for sure. Coach Todd Russell called a great game. Oakdale was off-balance all afternoon long."
Greg had to serve a one-game suspension following his ejection in Wednesday's 9-0 loss to the Mustangs.
"I haven't left the dugout full speed like that ever," he said. "I've never been that upset. I wasn't trying to do anything else but get my point across. It just felt like he was not giving us his full attention."
Oakdale improved to 6-0 in the VOL.
Central Valley dropped to 1-5 in conference play.
"We have eight games left," Magni said. "We're not going to give up on this year. Now we know we can compete with any team in league. We have to start winning. That's our ultimate goal."
Dante Major's RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning helped the Mustangs stay unbeaten. The run was unearned. Oakdale's leadoff hitter struck out but reached base on a passed ball. He eventually moved to second on a bunt and scored on Major's hit to left-center field.
The Hawks threatened in the top of the seventh inning. Adrian Sandoval drew a two-out walk. Martin Gomez followed with a line drive to left field. Sandoval got thrown out at third base to end the game.
Gomez, Central Valley's ace, allowed four hits in six innings. The right-handed junior struck out six and walked one.
"He pitched one of his best games ever," Magni said. "He was sensational. He did his job like he usually does."
Oakdale's Nick Vandertuig gave up three hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Gomez, William Mestas and Israel Trevino all singled for the Hawks.
"We struggled offensively," Magni said. "It's not for lack of effort. It seems like every week we're facing a good pitcher."
The visiting Hawks lost 1-0 to defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and Valley Oak League champion Oakdale in Game 2 of their Valley Oak League series last Friday.
"We competed," Magni said. "That's for sure. Coach Todd Russell called a great game. Oakdale was off-balance all afternoon long."
Greg had to serve a one-game suspension following his ejection in Wednesday's 9-0 loss to the Mustangs.
"I haven't left the dugout full speed like that ever," he said. "I've never been that upset. I wasn't trying to do anything else but get my point across. It just felt like he was not giving us his full attention."
Oakdale improved to 6-0 in the VOL.
Central Valley dropped to 1-5 in conference play.
"We have eight games left," Magni said. "We're not going to give up on this year. Now we know we can compete with any team in league. We have to start winning. That's our ultimate goal."
Dante Major's RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning helped the Mustangs stay unbeaten. The run was unearned. Oakdale's leadoff hitter struck out but reached base on a passed ball. He eventually moved to second on a bunt and scored on Major's hit to left-center field.
The Hawks threatened in the top of the seventh inning. Adrian Sandoval drew a two-out walk. Martin Gomez followed with a line drive to left field. Sandoval got thrown out at third base to end the game.
Gomez, Central Valley's ace, allowed four hits in six innings. The right-handed junior struck out six and walked one.
"He pitched one of his best games ever," Magni said. "He was sensational. He did his job like he usually does."
Oakdale's Nick Vandertuig gave up three hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Gomez, William Mestas and Israel Trevino all singled for the Hawks.
"We struggled offensively," Magni said. "It's not for lack of effort. It seems like every week we're facing a good pitcher."
