LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - The Live Oak Lady Lions softball team won its third consecutive game as they beat the Durham Trojans 10-5 on Thursday, April 6 in a Sacramento Valley League matchup.

Live Oak put itself in prime position with the series sweep over Durham as it gave them their first two victories in the SVL of the year.

Lady Lions head coach Kevin Medeiros took the program over last season and the senior heavy roster into the playoffs for the school's first time in about 20 years.

In previous conversations with the Herald, Medeiros expressed that this team is younger and not the same team as last year. He added that even though this team isn’t the same, they work nonstop and are a hardworking group.

Live Oak (4-4, 2-3 SVL) junior center fielder Aubrey Lopez put the Lady Lions on the board first in the bottom of the first inning when she took home on a wild pitch by the Trojans. Durham snatched the lead back quickly in the second inning off a single leading to two runs batted in (RBI)

Live Oak rallied in the bottom of the second as they put six runs on the board to take the lead back 7-2.

If you ever get a chance to take a peek inside the Lady Lions dugout, there is a purple and black velvety sombrero that is passed around religiously throughout the game. Lopez said that it’s a rally hat and anyone can wear it at any minute of the game.

Lopez went one-for-three with two RBIs on the night and made a couple key catches in the outfield throughout the game. She joked to the Herald that she has to not think when the ball is coming her way. “It’s a habit and if you over think it, then that’s when things go bad,” she said.

In the circle for Live Oak was sophomore pitcher Izabella Pacheco, who picked up her fourth win on the season. Pacheco was effective in keeping the ball in the strike zone. Mederios told the Herald she is coming into her own and he is excited to see how far she continues to grow throughout the season. Pacheco threw all seven innings and gave up seven hits, five runs, but struck out 10.

The Trojans made a push on Pacheco in the final three innings but nothing really had the scare of anything drastic for the Lady Lions to worry about.

Live Oak sophomore catcher Alexa Medina extended her hitting streak to five games on the season. Medina went two-for-three with a double and an RBI.

Medina is able to see the entire field from behind the plate, which gives her an advantage of seeing things develop early on. “When I’m behind the plate, I can see where everything is and I know where the ball is going to be headed,” Medina said.

Medeiros said that one of the best things about this group of Lady Lions is they don’t quit fighting. He added that even though there were errors made in the game, the girls didn’t drop their heads and give up.

Live Oak traveled to Winters this week in a pivotal SVL matchup as they are looking to gain ground now that they found a groove in the last few games.

Medeiros believes they are evenly matched. “Whoever makes the least amount of mistakes and puts up the most runs will win the game,” Medeiros said.