Pitman High’s softball team is easing its way into playoff contention after a 5-2 victory over cross-town rival Turlock High at home on Thursday.

The Pride (12-10 Overall, 5-5, CCC) are now only two games away from third place in league and must win their next two games against first place Merced High and second place Atwater High to have a shot at the post-season.

“Yeah, we got the cross-town rival thing going. It’s always nice to win but you know it is a game behind us,” Pitman’s head coach Cassie Sheppherd said. “Atwater and Merced have been our last two losses and they are the ones we want, getting those two wins would be much better.”

Pitman struck first in the bottom of the first inning with three runs. Sarah Ward drove in Alexis Mettler for the first run on an RBI single. Nicole Bailey then hit a RBI single to score Cady Riley. Bailey crossed the plate for the third run when Kelsey Sheppherd hit a RBI single.

The Bulldogs responded in the next inning with an unearned run off a sacrifice fly from Rachel Aldax that crossed Madison Mayol from third base. Turlock scored its final run of the game in the third inning after Olivia Simonsen scored Nicole Vasquez on an RBI single. It was one of only three hits on the day for Turlock.

“Well, we have been playing better and getting close with a lot of games like this one,” Turlock’s head coach Jill Ogden said. “This one was close; in that respect there is some progress that we're making.”

Sally Acosta relieved Mettler in the fourth inning and tossed a shutout to end the game. The Pride’s final two runs came in the fourth and fifth innings when Baleigh Basso drove in Spencer Bronken then Mettler scored the final run on a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2.

Pitman has now won five of its last seven games. The Pride will be hosting the visiting Merced Bears on Tuesday with the game beginning at 3:30 p.m.