Live Oak sophomore Meredith Bole (2) connects with a pitch during the Lions’ win over Gridley on May 15. Photo by Chris Pedigo

SUTTER/BUTTE COUNTIES, CA (YSBC) - The Gridley and Live Oak baseball and softball programs, each met in the CIF Northern Section Division III playoffs in play-in games.

The winner of each game would move into brackets of their respected brackets and play for a blue plaque.

The baseball programs met on May 12 where Gridley had come into the matchup with a sweep of the Westside League series during the regular season.

Gridley catcher Malayna Ceballos (3) tags out a Live Oak runner on May 15 during the Bulldogs’ defeat to the Lions. Photo by Chris Pedigo

The Bulldogs continued their winning ways and ultimately pulled away with a 9-2 victory behind a six-run inning in the sixth that aided to their controlling victory and ended the Lions season.

Gridley moved onto the bracket-play scenario where they lost to West Valley 7-2 on May 15. As the Bulldogs took their first loss during the double-elimination bracket, they were moved into the loser side of the bracket and played Yreka on Tuesday.

If the Bulldogs were to win against the Miners, they’d have to play against the loser of West Valley/Orland.

The championship for Division III is scheduled for Saturday, May 23.

Gridley senior Tanner Abbott (4) scores a base hit on May 12 during the Bulldogs’ victory against Live Oak. Photo by Steven Bryla

On the softball side, Live Oak and Gridley split during the Westside League play as both won on their respective home fields.

The play-in game on May 15 was held at Live Oak and the Lions held on for the 6-5 victory and knocked off the defending D-III champions.

Both teams committed multiple errors through the game and Live Oak didn’t let the nine fielding mistakes diminish their goal of securing their first postseason win in the MaxPreps era.

Lions’ sophomore pitcher Melina Jurado surrendered five runs off six hits and struck out four in the complete game victory.

Live Oak traveled to West Valley on Tuesday. If the Lions were successful with a victory, they would have moved to the winner’s side of the bracket needing one win to clinch a shot at the Division III title.

The Division III championship is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 at 2 p.m.

For more local sports, visit ysbcsports.com.

Live Oak sophomore Meredith Bole (2) connects with a pitch during the Lions’ win over Gridley on May 15. Photo by Chris Pedigo