BY RENEE EDWARDS AND CHRISTOPHER CORREA

Turlock Journal

The Hughson varsity softball team pulled out a close 8-7 win against Trans-Valley League rival Orestimba on Thursday in Newman in a battle that showcased their strong defense and timely hitting. The teams went back-and-forth on the scoreboard throughout the entire game.

The biggest blow came courtesy of a two-run home run to right center field off the bat of Hughson freshman Emma Carne in the sixth inning to extend the Huskies’ lead to 8-4. The Warriors mustered one run in the bottom half of the inning on an error, and another pair on a two-out, two-run blast of their own by senior Belany Martens in the bottom of the seventh. But their comeback feel just short, as Carne earned the save after retiring the side on a strikeout two batters later.

The Huskies improved to 6-1 in league play and jumped to the top of the standings, with second-place Ripon, 5-1,  now trailing by a half game. The Warriors dropped to 3-3 against conference opponents and down to third place.

The Warriors started off strong with a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a bunt single from freshman Rae Oliveros and a throwing error later in the play. Newman’s defense kept the Huskies at bay that same inning, particularly Oliveros, who dove at second base for a hard ground ball to start a double play.

After Hughson starting pitcher Kylie Tangney, a sophomore, proceeded to strike out the side the bottom half of the frame, the Huskies’ bats came alive in the third,  tying the game 2-2 on RBI knocks from Carne and junior Presley Wells.

Orestimba quickly reclaimed their lead the next half inning with a pair of runs scoring on bunt plays. The Huskies cut the lead to 4-3 in the fourth thanks to a Peyton Moring RBI single up the middle. Following the freshman’s nock was another Moring, Allison, who tied the game with a single in the fifth.

Just prior to Carne’s eventual game-winning two-run home run, the Huskies took a 6-4 lead on an RBI single from senior Grace Leedom and a bunt single by P Wells that led to an error. That set up Carne’s heroics to give the Huskies the 8-4 lead.

Tangney earned the win after allowing four earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight.

The Huskies will now travel to face fourth place Hilmar on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Yellowjackets sport a 2-3 record in TVL play. The Warriors will be at home to Turlock on Wednesday in another 4 p.m. start that will be preceded by the Warriors’ Senior Night.

Turlock wins five out of last six

Runs have been aplenty for the Turlock High softball program as of late, winning five of their last six games, including three victories against conference opponents, while outscoring opponents 71-25.

Their dominant run began on March 24, riding the hot hitting of Audrey Bailey (3-for3, three runs, one RBI), to beat Golden Valley of Merced by a 10-5 score. Four days later, they pulled out a comeback victory on the road against Hughson, backed by a three-run seventh inning in which Brooke de la Motte cut into the lead with an RBI single and Ayla Lacerda followed up with a go-ahead two-run single.

Their bats were also no laughing matter on April 1, when they exploded for a 20-0 win over Modesto. Later that week, they defeated crosstown rival Pitman, 16-5. In each of those games, every player in the Turlock starting lineup had at least a hit and an RBI.

The lone loss of the past three weeks came at the hands of second-place Gregori, who pulled out an 8-4 win on Tuesday. The Bulldogs quickly washed the loss from their memory, pouding Downey 14-2 on Thursday. Their get-back game was highlighted by Jaysee Rubio’s two-hit game which included a solo home run. Karley Wool drove in the most runs, three, coming in the form of a bases-clearing double.

Despite their recent success, it still hasn’t been enough to make significant strides towards the top of the Central California Athletic League standings. They currently have a 5-4 in conference play and are 8-12 overall. Ahead of them in the standings are Enochs (9-0, 12-3) and Gregori (7-2, 12-3). They have a prime opportunity to shake up the race when they host the Eagles at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

 Pride nab first league win of new era

Thursday proved to be a notable day for a Pitman program that has experienced the hardships of a rebuild this season.

Hosting Modesto High, the Pride won 10-5 to secure their first league win of the season and the first conference victory under first-year head coach Courtney Thornhill. 

The Pride were powered by a five-run third inning, which featured RBI knocks from Kamryn Costa, Hannah Deis, Keanna Haro and Shelby Woods. Each of the players drove in multiple runs on the afternoon, though it was Woods who led all players with three hits.

The gals in green are now 4-10 overall on the season, with their previous three wins having come in the late February, early March Rainbow Tournament in Modesto, in which they defeated Summerville (14-11), Grace Davis (6-2) and Riverbank (15-4).

They are 1-7 in league play with five games on the conference calendar to go. The next one is Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Downey.