The East Union Lancers have shown steady improvement since their minor setback against the league leading Oakdale Mustangs, and that trend continued Thursday with a 198-217 Valley Oak League victory over Kimball.

The Lancers shined at Manteca Golf Course, especially Lancer No. 1 Will Brink, who turned in a 3-under-par 34 for medalist honors. Brink put together five birdies, ending the round with a tap-in birdie after a lip-out on a 30-foot eagle putt.

Jordan Duval followed Brink with an even-par round of 37, while teammates Evan Lewis and Eric Lewis followed with a 39 and 42, respectively.

Zach Crouch shot a 46 and Kyle Davis was the East Union throw out score with a 50.

“We are getting there,” East Union head coach Dennis Wells said. “Each day we have to work a little bit harder to get that score lower and lower until we are consistently in the 190s.

“I think we have a chance to go a long way if we can get there.”

Manteca 203, Lathrop 298

The Buffaloes made the trip to French Camp Golf Course and took the VOL matchup with Lathrop by 95 strokes.

Tim Baker shot a 37 on the par-32 front nine. Both Ray Tinnin and Justin Morrish tallied 41s, while Brandon Ramirez shot a 42 as did teammate Kyle Howard. Davey Tolbert rounded out the Manteca (4-3) scorecard with a 46.

Lathrop was led by Nick Berndt (56), Geoff Fallon (57), Andy Munoz (60) and Sam Fallon (63). Matt Fallon was Lathrop’s final score with a round of 66.

Trans-Valley League
Escalon 224, Ripon 225

Escalon’s Justin Cardoza earned low medalist with a 3-over-40 on the Oakdale Country Club back nine.

Zach Capel and Nick Mendonca shot 43s for the Indians (4-3), while Kyle Head turned in a 45. Both Jason Williamson and Nick Sharp turned in 47s.

“Every kid had a stroke they know could have been the difference,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said.

The TVL’s frontrunners, Escalon, Hughson and Hilmar, all have at least two losses, leaving Ripon with a quality chance at asserting itself into the league’s hierarchy.

“It’s pretty wide open and we had a chance to distance ourselves,” Musseman said. “To lose by one stroke hurts; hopefully our kids can rebound from it.

The Indians will have a shot at Hughson a week from Tuesday.