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BUFFALOES TAME JAGS
Manteca shows fire for needed series split with Kimball
MHS1-5-5-12
Manteca Highs Danny Gouveia makes contact at the plate during the Buffaloes series finale with visiting Kimball on Friday. - photo by HIME ROMERO

Manteca High came into its Valley Oak League game with Kimball High is desperate need of a series split after dropping the opener, and the Buffaloes’ responded with an offensive breakout in a mercy-rule shortened 12 -2 win Friday.

The Buffaloes got five-plus innings of brilliant work from starter Jake Corn (11 Ks, 5 hits), who was in cruise control until getting ejected along with Kimball’s Alec Barba when the two exchanged words after striking him out for the third time.

The Buffaloes had a great deal of success offensively in support of Corn, batting through the lineup in the third to build a 7-2 lead. Freshman Dominic Pisano (double, 2 runs) stroked the big hit, smashing a RBI double and then coming around to scored on a Buddy Reeder hit.

Alex Martinez (2 for 3, RBI) had a good day at the plate and Daniel Miramontes (3 for 3, 4 RBI) had a two RBI base hit in the big third inning, one of seven Manteca hits in the inning.

“They played with the urgency that I was looking for,” Manteca head coach Gene Ballardo said. “Hopefully it’s something that we can continue into Monday. Monday we have to play solid defense, high quality catch and see where that gets us.”

Manteca need a positive showing after getting handled by Kimball in the two clubs’ first meeting. With postseason spots likely being situated next week the Buffaloes definitely had to seize the moment against a talented Jaguars team.

“I knew that I had to do something to try and pick the team up because I haven’t been producing lately,” Miramontes said. “I just thought I’d have to come out and have a good game.”

Manteca (6-6, 12-9) will close out the league season against the Sierra Timberwolves, likely solidifying a postseason berth with a sweep of the Timberwolves. Kimball (5-7, 9-7), who is still in the mix, will close out the season against the East Union Lancers.

“We’re both still in the run, we’ll just have to come out and play our game,” Kimball head coach Scott Anderson said. “We knew that they wanted this game and we wanted it, it’s just they executed and we didn’t.”