Underclassmen come through for Oakdale baseball in D-III quarterfinals win
Oakdale baseball player Eric Velazquez picked the right time to break out of a slump with a highlight.
The sophomore stepped into the box with two outs and a runner on third in the sixth inning on the verge of going hitless for the third time in five games. But that wasn’t on his mind. He was in the moment, focused on that at bat and how he could help his team in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III quarterfinals against Vista del Lago.
“I just told myself to breathe,” he said. “Just stay in a moment and then whatever happens, happens.”
Four pitches later in a 2-1 count, he sent the ball over the right field fence for a two-run home run.
“I just hit that ball out and just lost it,” he said.
It was the first big fly of his varsity career and put the finishing touches on a much needed four-run inning.
The Mustangs (23-7) took a 6-1 lead into the top of the fifth inning but the Eagles (23-6-1) scored four runs in the frame, cutting Oakdale’s lead to just one. As Velazquez rounded third base after the home run, all he could do was smile and shrug. When he stepped on home plate, he ran to the dugout with his tongue out. It felt like Oakdale had just punched its ticket into the section semifinals with a 10-5 win.
“That was the nail in the coffin,” said Oakdale coach Joey Machado.
Velazquez had the same ups and downs every first-time varsity player goes through this season. He started the season recording hits in eight of his first 11 games with three multi-hit outings, then times got hard.
He went hitless in 13 of 16 games heading into the postseason. In Tuesday’s playoff opener against Beyer, he recorded a double with an RBI and Thursday, added three RBI and a homer.
“He was super hot early this year and he just kept buying into the process and kept trusting himself,” said Machado. “He’s trying so hard to be something and we remind him he’s only a sophomore, keep learning and keep grinding.”
Production from underclassmen
The Mustangs have senior leaders primed for the big moment in Carlo Antinetti, Glen Weber and Tommy Chance, who all recorded at least one hit Thursday.
But they also have a talented crop of underclassmen who are not afraid of the moment.
Leadoff hitter Griffin Costa recorded two hits and Velazquez’ three RBI were a game-high. Sophomore Landon Schutte earned the start and struck out five in 4.2 innings before freshman Peyton Wallace entered in relief.
The Eagles scored three of their four runs with two outs after the pitching change, but Wallace never folded. He got out of the inning and finished the game without allowing a hit over the final two innings. He also helped himself out with a double.
“Wow is probably the only word I can say, super proud of our boys,” Machado said. “They’re a great team and we just kept grinding and grinding. Everyone was thinking oh my gosh what’s gonna happen next and then we give a ball to a freshman and he clutches up big time. Super proud of the group.”
The Mustangs are 10-2 in their last 12 games.
“We’re just scrappy,” Schutte said. “We get things done. In the mornings, we’re up lifting, we’re doing yoga, we’re doing all those things and we’re staying late at practices. It just says a lot about us. We’re putting in the work and it shows.”
Facing a familiar opponent
The playoff format changes from single elimination in the first two rounds to a best-of-3 semifinals series. Game 1 is Monday, Game 2 Wednesday and if necessary, they will play Game 3 Thursday.
The Mustangs’ opponent is a familiar one in defending Division III section champions and fellow Valley Oak League member Central Catholic.
The Raiders advanced to the semis with an 8-2 win over Manteca, another VOL member. East Union also played Tuesday in the D-III bracket against Lincoln High.
“Our league is being represented well,” Machado said. “The fact that we had four VOL teams playing today speaks about our league. People sometimes discredit our league, but we’re a tough league. So we’re excited for the next round.”
The Mustangs will have home-field advantage as the No. 2 team in the D-III bracket. Central Catholic is the third seed. Oakdale will host Game 1 and if necessary Game 3.
Though the two teams finished with the same 11-4 VOL record, Oakdale won the tiebreaker after taking the season series 2-1.
“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Schutte said. “It’s baseball, anything can happen. … (We need) energy. That’s one thing for sure. When we’ve played our best this year, that’s what it’s been. Everybody’s talking, everybody’s engaged in the game. That’s the kind of stuff that we need to see this week.”
