Galvan leads Troy past 'Dogs

The Orland Trojans needed a win over the visiting Gridley Bulldogs on Thursday to assure themselves a spot in the playoffs and they got it thanks to the pitching of senior Alex Galvan.

Galvan limited Gridley to two runs on six hits while striking out six. Galvan got stronger as the game went along, recording four of his strikeouts in the final three innings while walking no batters after the fourth frame.

The Trojans and Bulldogs were tied at 2-2 heading into the sixth inning when Orland broke the deadlock with a three-run rally.

Cole Sampson opened the frame with a single and then stole second base. After a walk to Galvan, Craig Simons doubled to score Sampson. Galvan later came home on a passed ball and Simons scored on Mitchell Butler’s infield single.

The win allows Orland to finish league play tied for fourth place with Wheatland at 3-7. The Trojans are also No. 7 in the playoff points and will likely play Sutter in the first round of the playoffs on Friday. The seeding meeting is set for today at Durham High School.

Orland opened the scoring with a run in the first inning. Kyle Ferry walked, stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored on an error.

In the second, Ethan Schmeltzer began the inning with a single and went to second on Joey King’s basehit. Schmeltzer then stole third base and home to give Orland a 2-0 lead.

Gridley tied the score with single-run rallies in the third and fourth frame.

Schmeltzer finished with two hits for Orland.

The Trojans are 10-11-1 overall.

Softball
The Orland High School softball team came close to picking up its first league win of the season, but fell to the Gridley Bulldogs 6-5 on Thursday.

The Bulldogs scored four runs in the seventh inning to overcome a 5-2 deficit.

Katie Taylor had three of Orland’s seven hits while Jessica Bonesio had a pair of singles.

Bonesio took the loss, giving up six runs on 13 hits with seven strikeouts.

Earlier in the week Orland fell to Wheatland 27-0. Heather Oakley had Orland’s only hit in the loss.

The Trojans finish the season 0-10 in BVL play and 4-20 overall.