NEWMAN, Calif – In two non-league games recently, the Orestimba High softball team played against the best in the Valley Oak League.

Entering this week of action, Orestimba has a 2-6 record.

Patterson 12, Orestimba 10

In a home game against its Westside rival on March 4, Orestimba almost completed its come-from-behind win over Patterson. The visiting Tigers had a 12-7 lead before the Warriors scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The high-scoring contest saw Patterson sitting on a 5-3 lead – after the first inning. The Tigers held a 6-5 lead after two innings.

The Tigers scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning. They scored a run each in the last two innings of the contest.

The two teams combined for 29 hits; Orestimba banged out 13 while Patterson had 16.

Hailey Starr was a star at the plate for the Warriors, going 3-for-4 that included a home run. Starr also had two RBIs.

Mariah Avila, along with Ellery Gustafson and Belany Martens, had two hits each.

Rae Oliveros also had two RBIs for the Warriors.

Oakdale 8, Orestimba 1

Facing VOL powerhouse Oakdale on Feb. 27, the Warriors had a short-lived 1-0 lead after their first at-bat of the game.

Then the host Mustangs scored twice in their first appearance at the plate for a 2-1 lead. Oakdale led 3-1 after three innings, and scored its remaining runs in the fourth and sixth innings for the win.

Orestimba only had three hits in the game. Cayla Finley, along with Sophia Machado and Kaitlin Barron, had a hit each.

Starr started the game in the circle for the Warriors. She struck out five Mustang batters and walked one.

Upcoming games

On Thursday, Orestimba begins TVL action at Ripon.

Then on Tuesday, March 18, the Warriors play at Hughson.

Both games are scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

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.