Sierra High staged another late-game comeback.
In Wednesday's Valley Oak League clash, the Timberwolves rallied for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning against rival Manteca High, erasing a three-run deficit while holding on for an 11-9 victory that gives them a three-game cushion at the top of the standings.
"They never think they're out of a game," said Sierra coach Travis Thomson. "I really didn't expect an eight spot."
Prior to that, the first-place Timberwolves (7-0 VOL, 15-3-1 overall) trailed 6-3 to their crosstown rivals.
The Buffaloes (2-3, 11-7) posted five runs in the third and added another in the fourth inning. They also had the lead-off runner aboard in every frame, from the third inning on.
Sierra jumped out to the early 1-0 advantage.
Matt Dunham was plucked followed by Jessie Ortiz-Martinez drawing a walk. Dunham scored on Julian Cantu's up-the-middle base knock.
The Timberwolves tacked on a pair of runs in the second inning.
That came after Manteca starter Ryan Ward picked off the base runner at first for the second out.
Dunham doubled this time, scoring on Ortiz-Martinez's hard-hit double to center. He, too, came home on Cantu's single, making it 3-0.
Down but not out, the Buffaloes rallied for four runs in the third, making the most of three infield errors, a hit batsman and a walk.
Dylan Guice and Dominic Rea both had RBI singles in the frame — two of the five runs were earned.
Manteca made it 6-3 in the fourth. Ward, who drew a lead-off walk, advanced on a walk and fielder's choice, scoring on Zach Todd's sacrifice fly.
Slyder Blyth opened the sixth for Sierra by ripping a hard-hit single to center, advancing to second on an error. Deshon Thomas followed by hitting a popup that dropped between a pair of fielders.
Both scored on Dunham's single, which was also mishandled in the outfield for a two-base error.
Dunham scored the tying run while Ortiz-Martinez came home with the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.
The Timberwolves scored their eight runs on six hits, with Cantu, who was 3 for 4, delivering a double and Blyth bombing a three-run triple in his second at-bat in the inning.
The Buffaloes, trailing 11-6, got three runs back in the seventh -- Alex Gouveia had an RBI double and Ward chipped in with a two-run run single.
"Both teams played below average," Manteca coach Neil MacDannald said. "We played worse.
"But we'll have it cleaned up."
The Buffaloes will host Sierra in the series finale today.

Junior varsity
Sierra 10, Manteca 9
Jackson Brunn belted a two-RBI double to tie the game in the top of the seventh for Sierra, then scored the go-ahead run. He finished 3 for 4 with three runs plated.
Austin Frisk was the winning pitcher, throwing the final three innings in relief. He also contributed three hits, one of which went for a double. Sonny Elder had two hits and two RBIs.
Karson Condit finished 2 for 3 with a double and two runs for Manteca. Quino Gurrola scored twice and doled out a double.