Manteca’s softball team rallied for six unanswered runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings to stun visiting Mountain House 6-5 in a pivotal Valley Oak League softball game Thursday.

It was an important bounce-back effort for the Buffaloes (3-2 VOL, 8-4 overall), who were coming off back-to-back losses to powerhouses Sheldon in a non-league game and first-place Central Catholic.

Lauren Moncada led the comeback against Mountain House (4-2, 14-3) and finished 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs. Maleiah Garza and Marissa San Nicolas each drove in a run, and Riley Ward scored twice.

Ward was also the winning pitcher, throwing the two innings in relief. She had four strikeouts and allowed one hit and no walks. Starter Isabel Tonna allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks, striking out five.

Luna Lopez went the distance for the Mustangs, fanning 10 batters while surrendering six hits and three walks.

Oakdale 3, East Union 1

The Lancers (1-3, 4-7 overall) were three outs away from upsetting the reigning VOL co-champ on the road.

Oakdale (3-2, 8-5) capitalized on errors in the seventh inning to plate three unearned runs. East Union ace Mikayla Simpson took the tough loss after striking out six in a three-hitter. She dueled with Pacific-bound Jaelyn Lee, who struck out six for the Mustangs.

Izabella Avalos knocked in Fallon Norman for East Union’s lone run in the fifth.

Ripon 4, Hughson 3

The Indians (4-0, 7-5 overall) the winning run in the eighth inning of this Trans Valley League first-place battle at Ripon.

Hughson (3-1, 9-5-1) jumped ahead 3-2 with a pair of runs in the sixth, and Ripon knotted it in the bottom half.

Addison Naranjo went 3-for-5 with a triple, solo homer, two runs and an RBI. Ava Hernandez went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Abigail Stewart (RBI), Ava Martinez (steal), Angelina Martinez (RBI) and Izabelle Spurzem (double) contributed two hits apiece.

Angelina Martinez also went the distance from the pitcher’s circle, registering nine strikeouts while yielding three runs (one earned) on nine hits and two walks.

BASEBALL

Johansen 9, Lathrop 7

Johansen (1-5, 6-8-1 overall) staved off a late surge from the visiting Spartans (3-3, 5-9) to notch its first Western Athletic Conference win of the season.

Angel Sararan drove in a pair of runs for Lathrop, Jordan Blase had two hits to go with an RBI and Vaughn Sanchez scored twice and stole two bases.

BOYS GOLF

TVL Tournament No. 4

Ripon Christian sophomore Matthew Ubick was low medalist with a 4-over 74 at Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course in Groveland, but Ripon once again was the top team.

Ripon edged out the Knights 391-399 for first place. Hughson was third with a 433.

Five Indians finished in the top nine of the individual standings. Andrew Bogetti and Vincent Uecker paced them with 75s, Cru Sullivan added a 78, Richie Hughes an 80 and Alan Bunchien an 83.

Hudson Schenk carded a 76 for RC. Carter Van Groningen (82), Trey Van Groningen (83) and Ben Miller (84) followed.

WAC Tournament No. 3

Medalist Brayden Beckman led Lathrop to a first-place score of 466 at Rancho Del Rey Golf Club in Atwater. He finished as low medalist with a 5-over 77.

Ariyan Patel and Jared Isla turned in personal-best scores of 90 and 91, respectively. Jayden Wall recorded a 100, and Raphael Iniguez a 108.

BOYS TENNIS

Sierra 9, Patterson 0

The Timberwolves (7-1, 8-2 overall) took care of business in the VOL road match, getting routine singles wins from Brady Alves (6-1, 6-0), Ashton Hillard (6-2, 6-4), Oliver Naven (6-2, 6-3), Santiago Franco (6-2, 6-4), Harshith Kumar (6-0, 6-0) and Ryan Alves (6-0, 6-1).

Picking up doubles wins: Sparsh Beedi/Hasnain Ali (6-1, 6-1), Sid Gopendran/Zain Ali (6-4, 6-3) and Alex Rey Rosario/Noah Brum (6-2, 6-3).

COED TENNIS

Ripon 6, Turlock Christian 3

Emiley Wang and John Yeung won the mixed doubles match against Aiden Johnson and Sophie Teixeira 7-5, 6-4 to help host Ripon earn the competitive win.

Lily Meyer prevailed in the lone three-set match, edging out Vittoria Chierici at No. 2 girls singles, 6-1, 6-7, 10-8. No. 1 girls singles player Brookelyn Betschart contributed a 6-2, 6-4 victory.

Max Ferral and Emilio Machado Perez teamed up to win at No. 1 boys doubles, 6-1, 7-6. The top girls tandem of Alyssa Lan and Sophie Douglas were victorious, 6-1, 6-4. The No. 2 doubles team of Abby Douglas and Molly Berger coasted, 6-0, 6-1.

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Manteca 81, Sierra 55

At Sierra, Jayden Scarver (200, 400) and William Brown (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles) led the visiting Buffaloes with two first-place finishes, and they were also on the winning 4x100 relay.

Joseph Habibi (100, long jump), Oscar Angel (1,600, 3,200), Josh Mellion (shot put, discus) and Tyler Watkins (high jump, triple jump) were also double winners for Manteca.

Sierra’s Christian Gonzalez spearheaded a 1-2-3 finish in the 800. Zak Willson won the pole vault. The Timberwolves also picked up first-place points in the 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

Ripon 74, Hughson 62

The Indians held off Hughson in the three-team TVL meet at Ripon. They also outpointed Ripon Christian, 133-3. Hughson also beat RC, 127-9.

Marcus Madoski was in on four event wins for Ripon, including the 400, triple jump and high jump. He was also featured on the winning 4x400 with Logan Lefebvre, the 300 hurdles victor.

Daniel Lopez (shot put), Ryan Bell (discus) and Eric Guevara (pole vault) also won field events.

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Sierra 86, Manteca 53

Sierra dominated on the track, with Anaya Wills (100, 200, 4x100) contributing three first-place finishes.

Anna Dittman (1,600, 3,200) and Olivia Knott (long jump, triple jump) also doubled in individual events. Janessa Barnes won the 400 and was part of the winning mile relay. Kristella Harnden-Muratalla joined Barnes on the 4x400 and took first in the 300 hurdles. Sierra also won the 4x800.

Rylan Steckler (high jump, pole vault) and Raniya Nelson (shot put, discus) were Manteca’s top points scorers. Jordyn Hegarty won the 800, and Atonique Jones the 100 hurdles.

Ripon 85, Hughson 51

Starla Skiles racked up first-place points in the 200, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and 4x400.

Shayla McKeon won the shot put and discus throw. Olivia Maragos (100, 4x100) and Kaiya Kroutil (400, 4x400) each had a hand in two first-place finishes. Ellena Parenti was the high jump winner.

Reagan Van Der Hoek (long jump) was Ripon Christian’s lone winner. The Knights lost to Ripon 121-10 and Hughson, 102-32.