Manteca High's girls soccer team was already without goal-scoring dynamo Airenne Curry, who had to miss her second straight match with an illness.
After breaking the game open with a seven-run third inning, East Union was forced to close out a close one, halting Stagg's comeback with the tying run at the plate in an 11-9 Lancers win over the Delta Kings Thursday.
It was a physical battle between two top programs, but nothing was left settled in a big Valley Oak League showdown between East Union and visiting Oakdale at Dino Cunial Field Thursday.
OAKDALE – Entering the match, both programs stood with undefeated Valley Oak League marks, but after nine holes of play East Union was left coping with its first league defeat and the Mustangs sitting alone atop the VOL standings following a 208-225 loss.
OAKDALE - The stage is set. East Union's boys tennis team wrapped up the toughest week of its Valley Oak League schedule by upending Oakdale 8.5-6.5 Thursday. The Lancers are off to a surprising 5-1 start in league play and will end the first half of the regular season next Wednesday with a make-up match against undefeated Manteca. "Manteca's had a great tennis program for many years and always has been at or near the ...
Field issues at Lathrop High forced the Manteca Buffaloes to host their final Valley Oak league meeting with the Spartans and hitting first had no ill effects on the Buffaloes, as they remained unblemished after their first league series with a 12-1 win Wednesday.
RIPON – The Trans Valley League season could have opened with better results, nonetheless, the Ripon Indians are going to have to rebound after a disheartening 7-1 loss to the Hughson Huskies Thursday.
East Union High's sophomore baseball team had a combined three-hit shutout from three pitchers who helped the Squires snap a three-game losing streak and roll into the Valley Oak League season behind am 8-0 win over Stagg Thursday.
Getting the Valley Oak League season underway must have been on the minds of the Sierra High track athletes, after dismantling the Ceres Bulldogs on both levels of completion Wednesday in the VOL opener.
When your No. 1 singles player takes two-out-of-three matches from an opponent that's part of an established program you're probably going to have a good day.
RIPON - Little time had elapsed when the Hughson Huskies struck gold after a throw-in led to a breakaway goal, giving a glimpse of things to come in Ripon Christian's 6-0 loss to Hughson in Trans Valley League play Wednesday.
The Sierra Timberwolves had an opportunity to take a stride forward on the Valley Oak League golf scene, but Oakdale High had other intentions during Sierra's 210-221 loss to the Mustangs Wednesday at Manteca Golf Course.
STOCKTON – The Weston Ranch baseball squad found themselves down 5-0 after three innings, but the deficit was just the first hurdle in the Cougars' come-from-behind win over Monterey Trail in the Claudia Lewis Tournament at McNair High.
After one inning of play, the Lathrop Spartans looked as if competing in its Valley Oak League debut would not be a problem, but two huge innings and 14 runs later Manteca High showed that would not be the case in a 15-0 shellacking Tuesday.
SONORA - The first marquee soccer matchup in the Valley Oak League came on opening day Tuesday, and it was a chance for East Union to stake its claim as one of the conference's teams to beat.
Sierra High has built it.
Manteca and Ripon Christian begin the Sac-Joaquin Section Division playoffs against familiar foes next week.
The road to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship appears to go through the Valley Oak League once again.
Ripon High's Zach Scudder and freshman Scott Tolman of Sierra are two of the favorites in today's Sac-Joaquin Section frosh-soph final in the 100-yard breast stroke.
RIPON - It was two years ago on this same field that four current Ripon Christian seniors experienced heartache.
Meghan Wallace stood at the edge of the penalty area in stunned disbelief - hands atop her head, mouth agape.
MODESTO – Ripon's Yvette Serrano put together a respectable effort in the net Thursday afternoon at David Patton Field.
LODI - Ripon's Erika Brown qualified for the finals of the frosh-soph 100-yard freestyle and the 100 backstroke during the Sac-Joaquin Section girls swimming Trials at Tokay High on Thursday.
Jim Todd stopped practice and called for two substitutions.
The Sac-Joaquin Section's new playoff format has created plenty of intrigue.
LATHROP – Oakdale's resume speaks for itself.
RIPON - Ripon hasn't been to the Sac-Joaquin Section softtball playoffs since 1996.
Ripon resident and Central Catholic senior Aimee Rose has signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her volleyball career at Notre Dame de Namur University. She will major in kinesiology at the Belmont-based Catholic school.
Manteca was 15 outs from missing out on a postseason berth altogether after starting the Valley Oak League season with a two-game lead in the standings through eight games.
Sierra senior Gabby Olmo came up clutch during a Valley Oak League finale against host East Union at the Northgate Softball Complex Tuesday.