Sophomore pitcher Jeremy Cross fired 12 strikeouts in a complete-game effort Wednesday, and Manteca knocked off Oakdale on the road 8-2 to knot the Valley Oak League series.
They’ll play the rubber game Friday at Manteca with sole possession of first place on the line.
Manteca (8-3 VOL, 15-4 overall) gained separation with a four-run flurry in the fourth inning to lead 6-1.
Cameron Jimenez led the attack, going 2-for-2 with a double, a run and two RBIs. Chris Chavez was 2-for-4 with a run, a steal and an RBI. Nick Garcia, Jace Quitasol, Nate Slikker and Carson Sablan knocked in a run apiece. Edward Anthony plated two runs.
Griffin Costa got two hits, scored a run and drove in another to pace the Mustangs (8-3, 11-7).
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Manteca 3, Patterson 0
The VOL-leading Buffaloes (6-0, 14-6 overall) took care of business 25-13, 25-13, 25-18 ahead of its cross-town home match against Sierra.
Jesus Gomez registered eight kills, eight digs and 14 service points. Alex Khizeran also had 14 service points and eight digs. Manny Campo put away the second game with a kill and an ace.
Manteca welcomes Sierra on Friday.
Mountain House 3, East Union 1
At Dalben Center, East Union (3-4 VOL, 7-7 overall) gave the visiting Mustangs (7-1, 17-4) all they could handle before falling, 21-25, 23-25, 25-21, 19-25.
Gabe Estabillo produced 14 kills, three blocks, five digs and 11 service points. Setter Marvin Menor contributed 17 assists, 10 service points, two aces and five digs. Gabe Torres added eight kills, three blocks and seven points. Xavier Gaspar chipped in 11 kills to the attack.
Lathrop 3, Livingston 0
The Spartans (6-2, 18-6 overall) avenged one of their Western Athletic Conference losses, upending first-place Livingston (7-1, 25-4) on the road, 25-10, 25-19, 25-14.
Gabriel Fa’ali’i anchored Lathrop’s balanced attack with 13 kills. Meauta Miller amassed nine kills, Cameron Loyola added seven kills and two solo blocks and Marc Llorin contributed three kills and three solo blocks.
Setter Mario Luna handed out 31 assists. Elias Medel picked up nine digs, while serving four aces.
BOYS TENNIS
Sierra 9, Central Catholic 0
Harshith Kumar fended off Guillermo Ramirez to win the No. 5 singles match 6-1, 7-5 for Sierra (8-1 VOL, 10-2 overall).
The rest of the matches were not as competitive. Brady Alves, Ashton Hillard and Oliver Naven won at Nos 1-3 in 6-0, 6-0 shutouts, and No. 4 Santiago Franco coasted, 6-0, 6-2
Sparsh Beedi and Hasnain Ali won the No. 1 doubles match, 6-1, 6-0. No. 2 Sid Godendran/Zain Ali and No. 3 Alex Rey Rosario/Noah Brum won, 6-0, 6-0.
The Timberwolves host first-place Mountain House today.
JV boys volleyball
Mountain House 2, East Union 0
The Lancers (4-4 VOL, 6-7 overall) battled tooth and nail but were unable to extend the match in the 19-25, 24-26 setback.
Alex Madrigal (two aces) and Oliver Desjardins (four assists) each had four assists. Gunnar Fay pitched in three blocks and two assists. James Russell contributed two kills and two assists.
Manteca 2, Patterson 0
Manteca dominated 25-9, 25-11 behind Adam Cuevas’ six kills.
Andrew Woodruff served 11 points, two for aces. Eli Navarro distributed seven assists and served four aces.
Lathrop 2, Livingston 0
The Spartans held on for the 25-22, 25-20 victory.
Bryan Gamboa (aces) and Joseph Siu doled out five and three kills, respectively. Dylan Beltran added two kills and a block. Christopher Ygay tallied six digs and two aces. Cayden Phaing dished out 12 assists.
