With Sierra to thank, Central Catholic is now positioned to make a run at a Valley Oak League co-championship after its emphatic 11-1, six-inning win at Manteca on Friday.
League-leading Oakdale had a chance to clinch the outright title but was stunned at home by Sierra. Central Catholic (8-4 VOL, 14-7 overall) closes the regular season next week with a three-game set against last-place Kimball. which has dropped 13 in a row.
Manteca struggled in all phases Friday, committing four errors while mustering just three hits against Central Catholic standout pitcher T.P. Wentworth. The Buffaloes used four pitchers who combined to give up 11 runs (four earned) on 10 hits, two walks and two hit batters.
Chris Chavez accounted for two of Manteca’s hits and plated the team’s lone run.
Seth Van Dyk powered the Raiders’ attack with a double and four RBIs, Kayden McHenry went 3 for 4 with a double, a solo homer and three runs, and Wentworth helped himself with a homer and two RBIs.
From the mound, the Clemson-bound Wentworth rung up 12 strikeouts and pitched all six innings for CC. The Raiders broke out with seven runs in the fourth inning to lead comfortably, 9-1.
East Union 9, Kimball 0
The Lancers (7-7, 15-10 overall) celebrated senior night with a lopsided victory at Agostini Field. They also clinched the final available playoff berth in the VOL.
Senior southpaw Zach Grabowski had his most dominant performance of the season, striking out 15 in the four-hit shutout. He walked just two batters in the process.
Jackson Fay ignited the offense, going 2 for 3 with a double, four steals, two runs and three RBIs. Peyton Heath went 2 for 2 with two runs. Carson Sanders and Grabowski each drove in two runs. Blake Mount hit a triple, and Joe Alvarez contributed a double.
Sierra 7, Oakdale 3
The visiting Timberwolves (7-8, 14-11 overall) ended their season on a high note, scoring four unanswered runs in the final seven innings to spoil Oakdale’s attempt at securing sole possession of the VOL championship.
Jacob Morrow (two RBIs) and Angel Valdez (double, run, RBI) both went 2 for 3 to anchor the eight-hit attack. Troy Morrow was 1 for 2 with two runs, a double, a steal and an RBI in the final game of his standout career for Sierra.
Starting pitcher Nikko Camarena overcame seven walks but held the Mustangs (11-4, 21-6) to just two hits in 6 2/3 innings. Fellow senior Druw Navarro ended the game, striking out the only batter he faced with five pitches.
Mountain House 17, Lathrop 7 (6)
Host Mountain House (10-2, 16-8 overall) busted out with a nine-run first inning and rallied late to activate the mercy rule in the Western Athletic Conference clash.
Lathrop (4-8, 9-14) battled to stay in it, scoring two runs in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings. The Spartans ultimately could not keep pace with the Mustangs’ 17-hit assault.
Adrian Zuniga (three RBIs) and Chris Williams (RBI) both went 2 for 3 for Lathrop. Omare Cross walked three times and had a sacrifice fly in his four plate appearances.
Noah Elizondo went 5 for 5 with three doubles and four RBIs for the WAC co-leading Mustangs. Elizondo was also the winning pitcher, striking out six in three innings.
Ripon Christian 10, Waterford 0 (6)
The Knights (10-2, 17-8 overall) maintain their lead in the Southern Athletic League with two games to go. They close the regular season next week against Denair, which is fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
Dustin Hoekstra pitched the mercy-shortened two-hitter on Friday, striking out nine compared to three walks.
Ripon Christian had just five hits but took advantage of eight walks, three hit batters and three errors. Noah DeBruyn and Joshua Buffalow each hit a double and drove in two runs. Kayden Anderson plated three runs. Grant Sonke scored twice and added two RBIs.
