Manteca picked up some needed momentum as it heads to the postseason, downing visiting rival East Union 8-0 with a complete effort on senior night Tuesday.
The Valley Oak League finale was a pitcher’s duel until the Buffaloes (5-5, 16-8 overall) busted out with four runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Manteca snapped a three-game skid.
“I thought we got contributions up and down the lineup today,” Manteca coach Josh Farris said. “Girls kept their focus on the task of sending our seniors out on a good note.”
Senior outfielder Jessica Almeida extended her torrid hit streak to seven games, going 2 for 3 with a double, a run and an RBI. Manteca totaled 12 hits.
Freshman Jocelyn Baptist was 3 for 3 with a homer, a double and two RBIs. Sienna Lowery (two RBIs) and Baylee Willenbrink (double, RBI) also went 2 for 3.
Pitcher Nayellys Torres tallied seven strikeouts in her three-hit shutout.
“Nelly was herself today, trusting her defense to make plays and getting strikeouts in big situations,” Farris said.
The Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs begin next Tuesday, May 16. Brackets will be released Friday afternoon.
“We are excited to be headed to the playoffs again,” Farris said. “I know as a team we feel confident coming from a league as difficult as ours.”
Lathrop 8, Johansen 3
Lathrop (3-11 Western Athletic Conference, 4-11 overall) ended its season on a high note Wednesday.
Junior pitcher Ariana Fuentes had a dominant effort from the circle, striking out 15 in the three-hit gem. She ends the season with 103 strikeouts.
Seniors Jaylyn Marquez (walk, two runs) and Jasmine Smith (two RBIs) both went 2 for 3 in their final game as Spartans.
“I want to give a big ‘thank you’ to our seniors Jaylyn, Lillianna (Velasquez), Athena (Guerrero), Jasmin Soto and Mina (Fehoko) for their hard work all season,” Lathrop coach Stephanie Maestretti said. “I’m very happy with what they brought to the team, and they will be missed next year. A huge congratulation to Ari for eclipsing the 100-strikeout mark. In a league like this, it’s no easy feat, and she handled it in stride.
“It was a nice ending to a tough season, and the girls did amazing.”
Ripon Christian 10, Delhi 0 (5)
Teagan Chapman pitched a mercy-shortened four-hitter with seven strikeouts for the Knights (7-6, 9-11 overall) on Tuesday. They’ll play their final Southern Athletic League game of the season today at home against Delhi.
Reagan Van Der Hoek led the 11-hit attack, going 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs. Tara Heida went 2 for 3 with three runs. Emma De Bruyn was also 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Kailee Alejandre chipped in a double and two RBIs. Cilya Michel doled out a double of her own, and Chapman tagged a triple.
Mountain House 14, Lathrop 6
On Tuesday, early errors doomed the Spartans in the Western Athletic Conference contest at Mountain House. The tri-champion Mustangs galloped to a 10-0 lead in the first two innings.
That did not stop Lathrop from competing, however, getting offensive production up and down the lineup. Macy DeCosta went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. Luz De Luna (two runs), Lillianna Velasquez (run, RBI), Ariana Fuentes (run, two RBIs) and Jasmine Smith (RBI) were all 2 for 4. Aubree Martinez added an RBI hit.
DeCosta was the starting pitcher, striking out three. Fuentes closed it out and netted eight strikeouts.
Junior varsity
Lathrop 15, Johansen 5
Anna Velasquez was a two-way contributor for the Spartans (4-8 WAC, 6-8 overall), as she fired 11 strikeouts in the win.
At the plate, she went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Madilynn Romero plated three runs, going 1 for 1. Gisele Mejia scored two and drove in two others. Kira Davis slugged a double, scored twice and knocked in a run. Cerreny Perez also had a hit, a run and an RBI. Tatianna Lopez contributed a hit, a run and turned a double play on defense.
Lathrop 18, Mountain House 16
Gisele Mejia spearheaded the Spartans’ offensive onslaught on Tuesday, going 3 for 3 with three runs scored and four driven in. Tatianna Lopez went 3 for 5 with a triple, three runs and two RBIs.
Madilynn Romero also plated three runs, finishing 2 for 3. Natalie Arceo contributed a hit, two runs and two RBIs. Allana Lewis had a hit and a run.
