GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Live Oak Lady Lions beat the Chester Volcanoes in dominating fashion and snapped a five-game losing streak 14-1 at a non-league tournament game at Gridley High School last Saturday, April 1, 2023.

The win came after Live Oak was beaten in the first round of the Gridley tournament 11-1 by Sacramento Valley League foe Willows 11-1.

The Lady Lions did their main damage in the second inning as they plated 12 of their 14 runs in the game as eight out of the nine Live Oak players scored at least once around the bases.

Live Oak (2-5,0-4 Sacramento Valley League) head coach Kevin Mederios expressed to the Herald that it was a boost his team needed.

“They’ve had it all season and it is coming together,” Mederios said.

He added that it’s something that they needed for the rest of the year to clear their heads.

The Lady Lions erased a five game skid of losses that came off the hands of defending Northern Section CIF Division V champion East Nicolas in an SVL series where Live Oak got swept by the Spartans. The Lady Lions also got swept by Colusa.

Live Oak junior shortstop and captain Olivia Nanez told the Herald that it felt great to be out and be able to be on a day of sunshine.

“Everyone was super excited and pumped to be out here,” Nanez said.

Nanez had a great day at the plate as she went two-for-four with three RBIs and included an inside the park home run in the second inning.

Nanez said that when she saw the ball in front of her at second base, that she told herself to keep going and going because she believed she could make it from the initial thought of the possibility of a triple.

All nine of the Lady Lions that played against Chester scored a run last Saturday.

Sophomore pitcher Izabella Pacheco pitched a gem as she pitched five innings of two-hit ball along with giving up one run.

Pacheco told the Herald that she was thankful to be in the circle. She added that her fastball and changeup worked well throughout the game.

“I was able to get into the zone and treat it just like I’m at practice,” Pacheco said. She also had five strikeouts against the Volcanoes.

“She’s (Pacheco) consistent with throwing strikes non-stop,” Mederios expressed to the Herald.

Live Oak had nine hits against Chester and Nanez said that it was encouraging to get all the hits versus the Volcanoes.

“Knowing we can do it to other teams, we have to believe in ourselves that we are capable again,” Nanez said.

The Lady Lions played Durham in this week’s SVL matchup and looked to get their first SVL win of 2023.

Pacheco added that she said Live Oak gained their confidence back after the win over Chester.

Mederios said that he has all the confidence in his team to consistently get the job done. The biggest trait the Lady Lions show is the way they are one crew.

Mederios remembered that when he took over the program, he wanted to unify all of the girls and make them a cohesive club.

Pacheco and Nanez both noted the same idea that Live Oak is one big club.

“We are one team, all together and no side groups,” Pacheco said.