Trina Solario got her team back into it with a three-run single in the fourth, and she capped the come-from-behind surge with the deciding run in the sixth as Manteca snapped a four-game losing streak in the Valley Oak League with Wednesday’s 7-5 win over Sonora.
The visiting Wildcats (1-8, 9-11 overall) landed the first blow with a four-run flurry in the first, but Solario sparked Manteca’s own four-run spurt. Chellsee Lee knotted it with a single to score Solario.
In the sixth, Solario drew a two-out walk and eventually scored on a throwing error that put Lee on base. Raylynn Saint stamped the insurance run with an RBI knock.
Melissa Bond sealed the victory in the final inning by making a shoestring catch in centerfield with Sonora runners on second and third.
“I’m proud of how the girls did not hang their heads like they have in the past after going down early like that,” Manteca coach Todd Hardcastle said. “We just fought back and picked away at it. It was a great for the girls’ confidence. They needed it big time.”
Kayla Campbell finished 2 for 4 with a double and two runs. Danielle Roberts also had two hits in three at-bats while plating a run, and Lee ended up with a pair of RBIs.
Sophomore Mariah Navarro was the winning pitcher with five strikeouts.
Jode Johnson, who was 2 for 3, highlighted the fifth with a two-run single. Sierra, which left eight runners stranded, plated its only run in the top of the seventh.
“They pretty much set the tone the entire game, and we played flat and never picked up the momentum we needed to beat a good defensive team like Ceres,” Sierra coach Nick Olmo said. “Popping the ball up in the air isn’t going to do it against them.”
Gabby Hawkins struck out four from circle but scattered seven hits and three walks. Monica Morado went 3 for 4 from the top of the order.
Sierra will fight for its playoff life Friday when it plays host to Oakdale.
Serena Hernandez (two runs) and Alexandria Alvarado (run) were each 3 for 4 to lead Weston Ranch. Angelysa Washington hit 2 for 4 and slugged a triple.
The visiting Wildcats (1-8, 9-11 overall) landed the first blow with a four-run flurry in the first, but Solario sparked Manteca’s own four-run spurt. Chellsee Lee knotted it with a single to score Solario.
In the sixth, Solario drew a two-out walk and eventually scored on a throwing error that put Lee on base. Raylynn Saint stamped the insurance run with an RBI knock.
Melissa Bond sealed the victory in the final inning by making a shoestring catch in centerfield with Sonora runners on second and third.
“I’m proud of how the girls did not hang their heads like they have in the past after going down early like that,” Manteca coach Todd Hardcastle said. “We just fought back and picked away at it. It was a great for the girls’ confidence. They needed it big time.”
Kayla Campbell finished 2 for 4 with a double and two runs. Danielle Roberts also had two hits in three at-bats while plating a run, and Lee ended up with a pair of RBIs.
Sophomore Mariah Navarro was the winning pitcher with five strikeouts.
Ceres 3, Sierra 1
It was a must-win for Sierra (6-3, 13-6-2) to stay in contention for a Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoff spot, but the host Bulldogs (7-2, 16-6) pieced together a fifth-inning rally for all of their runs to leap into a second-place tie with Oakdale.Jode Johnson, who was 2 for 3, highlighted the fifth with a two-run single. Sierra, which left eight runners stranded, plated its only run in the top of the seventh.
“They pretty much set the tone the entire game, and we played flat and never picked up the momentum we needed to beat a good defensive team like Ceres,” Sierra coach Nick Olmo said. “Popping the ball up in the air isn’t going to do it against them.”
Gabby Hawkins struck out four from circle but scattered seven hits and three walks. Monica Morado went 3 for 4 from the top of the order.
Sierra will fight for its playoff life Friday when it plays host to Oakdale.
Central Valley 7, Weston Ranch 3
In Ceres, the Cougars (1-8, 2-15) took the first lead in the opening frame but were unable to hold on. Central Valley (4-5, 8-14) scratched across three in the bottom of the fourth to charge ahead for good.Serena Hernandez (two runs) and Alexandria Alvarado (run) were each 3 for 4 to lead Weston Ranch. Angelysa Washington hit 2 for 4 and slugged a triple.
— Jonamar Jacinto
