CERES — East Union put itself in a favorable position after getting past Martin Gomez ace and Central Valley at home Tuesday.
Now the Lancers have their backs against the wall in the race for one of two Valley Oak League playoff berths after dropping a 6-4 decision to the Hawks Thursday.
After losing three of its first four in conference play, East Union (2-4, 6-6 overall) could use every win it can get to return to the postseason.
EU ace Marshall Swift struggled with his command from the bump, and the defense (three errors) didn’t do him any favors. Swift gave up 10 hits and five walks while striking out five, but errors in the second inning led to unearned runs and an early 2-1 lead for Central Valley (3-3, 6-8).
Garrett Fisher (2 for 3, 2B, two runs) tied it in the top of the third with a solo homer to right center.
He plated another tying run in the fifth after doubling and racing home on Ryan Sage’s triple. Sage finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
The Hawks ran across three in the bottom of the sixth to clinch it. Israel Trevino led CV with a 3-for-4 effort and two RBIs.
East Union starts the Lodi/Tokay Easter Tournament with West at Zupo Field Monday, 4 p.m. The Lancers return to conference action April 14 at Weston Ranch.
In Sonora, the Buffaloes (2-4, 8-9-1) scored all of their runs in the second inning but were silenced by Manuel Espino the rest of the way.
Espino struck out six and walked four while giving up just four hits. Losing pitcher Matt Barber fanned six and gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits.
Ricky Acosta was 2 for 4 to lead Manteca from the plate.
“I’m proud of the guys, they played well and it was a good baseball game,” Manteca coach Gene Ballardo said. “We just fell a little short today.”
In Ceres, Tyler Cummings belted a two-run single in the first to give the host Bulldogs (3-5, 7-6) an early lead, but Luis Barraza and Kenny Leasure gave up just two hits combined over the final six.
Leasure was stellar in relief, striking out seven to one walk and a hit for the win in four innings. Sierra (5-1, 8-4) plated all of its runs in the third and fourth innings.
Jacob Angelo was 2 for 4, and Lukas Owens drove in two runs.
At Weston Ranch, Chris Fleckenstein hit 2 for 3 to lead the Cougars (0-6, 2-10), as defending VOL and Sac-Joaquin Section champion Oakdale improved its perfect overall record to 15-0.
Now the Lancers have their backs against the wall in the race for one of two Valley Oak League playoff berths after dropping a 6-4 decision to the Hawks Thursday.
After losing three of its first four in conference play, East Union (2-4, 6-6 overall) could use every win it can get to return to the postseason.
EU ace Marshall Swift struggled with his command from the bump, and the defense (three errors) didn’t do him any favors. Swift gave up 10 hits and five walks while striking out five, but errors in the second inning led to unearned runs and an early 2-1 lead for Central Valley (3-3, 6-8).
Garrett Fisher (2 for 3, 2B, two runs) tied it in the top of the third with a solo homer to right center.
He plated another tying run in the fifth after doubling and racing home on Ryan Sage’s triple. Sage finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
The Hawks ran across three in the bottom of the sixth to clinch it. Israel Trevino led CV with a 3-for-4 effort and two RBIs.
East Union starts the Lodi/Tokay Easter Tournament with West at Zupo Field Monday, 4 p.m. The Lancers return to conference action April 14 at Weston Ranch.
Sonora 5, Manteca 3
In Sonora, the Buffaloes (2-4, 8-9-1) scored all of their runs in the second inning but were silenced by Manuel Espino the rest of the way.
Espino struck out six and walked four while giving up just four hits. Losing pitcher Matt Barber fanned six and gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits.
Ricky Acosta was 2 for 4 to lead Manteca from the plate.
“I’m proud of the guys, they played well and it was a good baseball game,” Manteca coach Gene Ballardo said. “We just fell a little short today.”
Sierra 7, Ceres 2
In Ceres, Tyler Cummings belted a two-run single in the first to give the host Bulldogs (3-5, 7-6) an early lead, but Luis Barraza and Kenny Leasure gave up just two hits combined over the final six.
Leasure was stellar in relief, striking out seven to one walk and a hit for the win in four innings. Sierra (5-1, 8-4) plated all of its runs in the third and fourth innings.
Jacob Angelo was 2 for 4, and Lukas Owens drove in two runs.
Oakdale 17, Weston Ranch 3
At Weston Ranch, Chris Fleckenstein hit 2 for 3 to lead the Cougars (0-6, 2-10), as defending VOL and Sac-Joaquin Section champion Oakdale improved its perfect overall record to 15-0.
— Jonamar Jacinto
