Track and field, basketball, softball, tennis, golf … multiple sports were being played on the courts and fields on the Escalon High School campus this past week.
Following is a brief recap of the action, with information provided by coaches.
SOFTBALL
The varsity girls got a 2-1 win over Manteca in a pitcher’s duel, with Brooke Davis allowing just four hits and striking out six. Macie Vickers sealed the victory with a home run in the top of the eighth inning, giving the visiting Lady Cougars the lead. Hits by Soleil Gouzenne, Brooke Davis and an RBI double from Faye Hernandez accounted for the first run.
Thursday at Ceres it was another tight one, Davis just a little better than Brooklyn Heffernan of Ceres. No walks, four hits and 13 strikeouts was the impressive line for Davis. It was a 2-0 win, with a homer from Vickers in the first inning. A walk to Malia Babasa, a stolen base and an RBI single from Briana Vazquez made it 2-0.
“Friday we got the bats going, getting a 5-2 win,” coach Jeff Borden said of the home game against Kimball. Davis picked up her third win of the week, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out six. Center fielder Brooke Campbell had four putouts and second baseman Fernandez added three. Davis had two hits and an RBI. Mya Scott had a hit and an RBI and Tulsa Carnes set the table with a hit in the third. The girls improved to 7-0 with the three wins.
Taking the field on Friday against Kimball as well, it was a 14-4 loss for the JV Lady Cougars on the softball diamond. Amanda Vanderwall is coaching the team this season.
BOYS GOLF
In the Valley Oak League for this season, Escalon’s varsity golf boys defeated East Union and Central Catholic this week.
The boys are working with first year co-coaches Dale Clayton and Vern Millard.
On Monday, April 12 the boys were on the road, taking on East Union at the part 36 Manteca Golf Course.
“It was a win by forfeit,” said Coach Clayton. “East Union fielded four players; you need a minimum of five players and take the best five scores out of six.”
On the course for Oakdale were Kaden Schrotenboer 41, Bryce McKenzie 42, Timothy McNeil 52, Ben Millard 54, Jacob Dugo 60.
Taking the top four scores against East Union, the Cougars came in with a 189 to East Union’s 240.
“Kaden and Bryce played very well and if they continue playing at their level, we will have a very competitive team,” added Clayton.
Wednesday, April 14 at the par 31 Escalon Golf Course, the Cougars hosted Central Catholic.
Bryce McKenzie paced the team with a one under par 30, followed by McNeil 34, Schrotenboer 34, Dugo 39, Millard 44, and Austin Schweickert 48, with a team total of 181, crafting a win over Central with a 191.
“Escalon had four players in the 30’s with an impressive round of 30 for Bryce. Timothy had a quadruple bogey on the sixth hole and shot an impressive 34. Kaden had the first eagle of the season and left his tee shot on hole four, 18 inches from the hole,” explained Clayton. “The match was close throughout the round until Jacob finished the round defeating his opponent with the first time being in the thirties. Rather impressive for a first year player.”
The golfers were scheduled to take on both Weston Ranch and Oakdale at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club on April 19 and host Kimball at Escalon on April 21.
TRACK
“With more than the usual number of sports happening in the spring, our roster is about half of what it typically is,” said head coach Carrie Nash. “We currently have about 50 kids on the team.”
The first meet at Manteca High was basically a practice meet, said Nash, an opportunity for athletes to practice with some friendly competition.
Wednesday, April 14 the team traveled to Weston Ranch and competed against East Union, in a non-scoring meet.
Highlights included: Freshman Cali Granis won the 100m 13.80; senior Alexis Barron 3rd in the 100m 14.40; sophomore Ryan Walker ran a personal best in the 1600m, 7:23; freshman Madison Webster did both hurdle races and won the 300m in 1:01.
Also, Junior Brandon Granda was 2nd in the 100m, 12.37; senior Logan Mendes was 4th in the 1600m, 5:46; with a solid 1600m race by sophomore Josh Churchill 6:08, junior Grady Fugett 6:18, and Gonzalo Leal 8:11.
“The girls and boys 1600m relay teams both put forth great efforts,” said Nash.
