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Manteca thumps Sierra behind Ward’s 5-inning no-hitter
Sierra-Manteca softball
Riley Ward winds up to pitch against Sierra in the top of the third inning Thursday at Manteca. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin
JONAMAR JACINTO
The Bulletin
Published: Mar 21, 2025, 7:11 AM

Riley Ward walked two batters in the fourth inning to end her bid for a perfect game, but she made sure the no-hitter was still in play.

The Manteca junior got out of the jam with two groundballs, then struck out the side in order in the fifth inning, as the Buffaloes completed their 12-0 mercy-shortened shutout of visiting Sierra.

Ward finished with 10 strikeouts in her first career varsity no-no and allowed just one ball to be hit out of the infield — Sierra’s Gia Garcia led off with a pop fly to right field.

“I felt really good with my pitches; all of them were on,” Ward said. “I focused a lot to make sure my curveball was good. I took extra-long on my warm-up, so maybe that was the reason, but I just felt on today.”

It’s the second no-hitter of the season for Manteca (2-1 Valley Oak League, 7-2 overall). On Feb. 20, Isabel Tonna struck out eight and walked two over seven innings in a 2-0 non-league victory at Kimball.

“She has been working hard all year, and we’re super proud of her,” Manteca coach Josh Farris said. “It’s awesome to throw a no-hitter, no matter what, because those are really hard to come by. This is our second one of the year from the staff, so we’re proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

Sierra-Manteca softball
Chloe Martin plates the run for Manteca ahead of the tag from Sierra catcher Juliana Silva.

The Buffaloes continued their tear offensively, setting the tone with an eight-run deluge in the bottom of the first inning and finishing with 12 hits. It marks the fourth straight game that Manteca totaled double-digit hits.

Sienna Lowry highlighted the early onslaught with a two-run double, finishing 2 for 2 with three RBIs. She also cleanly fielded three groundballs at shortstop for outs.

No. 9 hitter Graciela Torres went 2 for 2 with two runs, three steals and an RBI. Ward also contributed to the attack with an RBI single in the first inning. Chloe Martin, who finished 2 for 3, and pinch-hitter Alesia Harris had back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning. Both intentionally left the second-base bag early for outs.

Sierra-Manteca softball
Sienna Lowery slugs a two-run double during Manteca’s eight-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning Thursday against Sierra.
“I think it’s no secret that we’re a pretty offensive-minded team,” Farris said. “We hit and can score a lot of runs, and to get that many contributions from girls that started on the bench is pretty nice.”

Janiah Walker and Garcia drew the walks for Sierra (0-3, 3-5). The Timberwolves have dropped five straight, all against top opponents, after winning their first three of the season.

“We’re trying,” Sierra coach Mike James said. “We’re just like that salmon trying to get up the river. They don’t quit, and they don’t give up. They’re a great group of girls.”

It doesn’t get easier for the T’wolves, who head to upstart Mountain House next Tuesday. Manteca will test itself in a non-league game today at Sheldon, traditionally one of the best teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section. The Buffs will then start a challenging three-game stretch in league next Tuesday at defending co-champion Central Catholic.