OAKVILLE — The Oakville Acorns did not field a fastpitch team in 2024, and this year’s squad features only two players with prior playing experience.
In their first game on their new home field, the Acorns only had eight players against 2B North Beach. But, with the odds against them, the Acorns put up their first two runs of the season in a 29-2 loss to the Hyaks at Oakville High School on Thursday night.
Despite the second straight lopsided score to start the season, the Acorns played with joy and contagious energy, coach Marisa Lucero said.
“The way that they hung together as a team and supported each other and really focused in and wanted to come back and started getting hyped when they got on base, it was exciting to watch,” Lucero said.
The Hyaks poured it on from the start with eight runs in the first inning, and to start the second inning, five of the first six batters walked. North Beach led 14-0 before the Acorns had their first baserunner in the second. The visitors broke open the floodgates even more in the third thanks to a three-run homer.
Although Oakville trailed by 25, the Acorns found some offensive rhythm in the fourth inning. Nae Nae Filitaula led off the frame with a double to center field, and the Acorns loaded the bases with a single and a walk. Damia Tartios scored Oakville’s first run after a hit by pitch, and the Acorns plated another on a Riyah Filitaula ground ball that forced a Hyaks error and scored Nae Nae Filitaula.
Lucero said her shorthanded young team improved defensively and at the plate from game one to game two.
“They had some really good plays defensively compared to game one. Their hitting is gonna be really strong once they start figuring out that they can hit the ball,” she said. “They all have a lot of self doubt right now, so they get up there and get very scared. I think once they really start trusting in themselves that they can do it, they’re gonna be killer.”
The Acorns (0-2) return from spring break with a home contest against Wahkiakum on Monday, April 14 at 4 p.m.
