Oaks right fielder Jon Lang is tagged out by Lodi shortstop Joe Armstrong as he tries a third-inning steal of second in Post 383's 3-2 win over Lodi at Bella Vista High School. Photo by Joe Blenkle

Fair Oaks 3, Lodi 2 (League: 3-1, Overall: 9-2-1) - June 4 @ Bella Vista High School, Fair Oaks - After beating Lodi 20-9 in their previous meeting, Fair Oaks took a more conservative approach in Thursday's game, beating the American Legion team by a score of 3-2.

    The Oaks struck first, scoring twice in the opening inning as Post 383 left fielder Branden Lang led off with a hit to center field. With catcher Mike Nantze at the plate, Lang stole second, but Nantze was called for interference on the catcher and was out at the plate, while Lang was forced to return to first base. It didn't matter though as the next batter - right fielder Jon Lang - hit the ball over the right field fence to give the Oaks the 2-0 lead. Designated hitter Bryce Bandilla followed with a hit to left center, but Lodi starter Nick Camavena struck the next two batters out to end the inning.

    Lodi came right back to tie the game in the top of the third as catcher Matt Clark hit the ball to third. Oaks third baseman Ryan Hall couldn't find the handle though and Clark was safe at first. Third baseman Ryan Heinle then hit another ball to third that glanced off Hall's glove and rolled to short. But shortstop Justin Haley's throw to first got away and Lodi found itself with runners on second and third and no outs. Clark scored on a ground ball to third and then after two were out, a line drive off the bat of shortstop Joe Armstrong back to the pitcher resulted in Heinle scoring. Oaks pitcher Josh Paige barely had time to throw his glove up and actually caught the ball, only to have it pop right back out and he couldn't pick it up in time to make a play at first.

    The game remained tied until the fifth when the Oaks scored what would be the winning run. Hall led off with a hit to left and was replaced on first by pinch runner Ryan Dettman. With second baseman Nick Anicich at the plate, Dettman stole second and then scored on Anicich's hit to left field to give the Oaks a 3-2 lead. Neither team scored again and the Oaks recorded win No. 9 of the season.

Lodi: Pitching - Camavena and Clark. Top Hitters - Armstrong 2x3.
Fair Oaks: Pitching - Paige, Hickman (5) and Nantze, Wheeler (5). Top Hitters - Lang HR, 2 RBI.