There was little doubt in the minds of everybody else in attendance at Northgate Softball Complex Wednesday, but Nycole Teeple admittedly had hers.
Both the Manteca and Sierra softball teams looked on top of their games Wednesday at Sierra High where the host Timberwolves prevailed 4-0.
Sierra's defending Valley Oak League champion girls team was coming off a heartbreaking loss to Oakdale. The boys, meanwhile, simply couldn't match the Mustangs' depth and all-around talent.
RIPON – Josh Richter led the way for the Indians Wednesday in a 218-238 loss to Escalon, shooting a 41 at Oakdale Country Club.
The Manteca High sophomore softball team won its fifth straight Valley Oak League contest Wednesday, a 7-4 road win over Sierra.
MODESTO - Modesto Junior College hosted its annual Modesto Invitational Saturday and track athletes from Weston Ranch, Manteca and East Union were on hand to compete.
Walk, bunt and let the big boppers bop. It was textbook softball, and that's what it took for East Union to down rival host Sierra 2-0 on Friday, capping a pivotal three-game, Valley Oak League stretch for both clubs. East Union leadoff hitter Kourtni McCall ignited the deciding sixth-inning rally with a full-count walk, and Jillian Goulart dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt three pitches later. Cassie Waggy took the next offering and thumped it to ...
The offense was as impressive as the defense was sloppy for both sides Friday afternoon in an 18-8 Buffaloes win over Weston Ranch at Manteca High.
It was just another day, another victory for Sierra High's reigning Valley Oak League champion girls team.
RIVERBANK - Ripon senior hurler Michael Conway needed just 62 pitches to finish off a complete-game, one-hitter Friday afternoon in a 4-0 win at Riverbank.
Kelsey Emmerson was at her best with the bases loaded. The East Union slugger cleared the bases with a double in the third to give the Squires a lead they did not relinquish in their 8-5 sophomore softball victory at Sierra Friday. Emmerson also had a two-run, bases-loaded single in the fifth to extend East Union's lead to 6-2. She finished with five RBIs to high-light a 3-for-4 effort. Jessica Lavoie was also 3 for ...
Oakdale capitalized on its opportunities, and East Union didn't. East Union stranded 10 runners and made two costly errors in a 3-1 loss under the lights of Northgate Softball Complex Friday. Oakdale (2-0 Valley Oak League, 8-1-1 overall) got the defending champion's attention early with Marissa Toy's leadoff double, and she advanced two bases to score on a throwing error after a steal attempt. The Mustangs plated their final run in the seventh after a ...
RIPON - What went up went down fast for Ripon. After running across a season-high 14 runs against rival Ripon Christian, the Indians' bats went silent in their 4-2 loss to reigning Trans Valley League champion Hughson Friday. "We weren't real patient at the plate today," Ripon coach Mark Whelan said. "Their pitcher (Jason Meyer) just kept us off balance and got us to chase pitches. "He was pretty erratic in the beginning but we ...
After Gabby Hawkins allowed just four hits in a 1-0 loss to Ceres Friday afternoon at Sierra High, Timberwolves head coach Nick Olmo called the Bulldogs the Valley Oak League team to beat.
So far, so good for East Union. The boys and girls teams improved to 2-0 in the Valley Oak League with easy 94-43 and 120-48 victories, respectively, over visiting Central Valley Friday. "Our individual times are improving each week across the board," coach Chris Johnson said. "The majority of our swimmers had personal best times today, so they are progressing nicely and are right where we want them." Jeff Claire and Ben Alfter once again ...
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.