NEWMAN, Calif – In its second to final non-league game of the season, the Orestimba High baseball team took to the road to face a bigger school.

Playing against Golden Valley High’s squad in Merced on March 13, the visiting Warriors came close. But the host Cougars came away with an 8-5 win.

Orestimba (2-11 overall) only had two hits in the game, both singles off the bats of Landon Marcotte and Jaden Sotelo. Donovan Torres and Sotelo each had an RBI in the contest.

After Golden Valley jumped out to a 4-0 lead entering the top of the sixth inning, the Warriors took charge at the top of the frame by scoring five runs and taking a 5-4 lead. Torres, along with Sotelo, Kevin Moreno, Payton Marcotte and Richie Rivas, all scored in the sixth.

But the Cougars took the lead for good by scoring four more runs in the bottom of the seventh frame for the win.

Golden Valley, which is a member of the Central California Conference that is Division III, had seven hits in the game. The Cougars were also guilty of committing three errors.

On the bump, Warrior pitcher Colby Cabral started the game. He struck out three Cougar batters, walked one and allowed five hits. Giovanni Gudino tossed the final inning, giving up two hits and walked one.

Orestimba will play its final non-league game this season on March 31, when it plays at Mendota.

TVL action

On Wednesday, Orestimba begins action in the Trans-Valley League in a series at Sonora (0-9). The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Then on Friday, the Warriors welcome the Wildcats for a 4 p.m. contest.

On Wednesday, March 26, Orestimba continues league play when it entertains Hughson. That game also has a 4 p.m. start.

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.