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CRUISE CONTROL
Mantecas Graves follows gem with one of his own
BB--Sr All-Stars-Manteca pic 3
Mitch Balmut lays down a sacrifice bunt for the Manteca Little League senior all-stars Wednesday against District 67 Tournament host Salida. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL/The Bulletin

SALIDA – Manteca has played two games in the District 67 Senior All-Star Tournament at Salida Elementary School, and as a result of Wednesday’s 8-0 win over Salida, Manteca has yet to give up a run.

Coming off of Devin Sullivan’s no-hit outing in a 9-0 win over Spreckels Park on Monday, Tyler Graves took the hill for Manteca on Wednesday and threw a complete-game shutout, striking out eight and allowing just three hits while walking none. At one point, Graves retired 12 in a row and 14 out of 16.

Manteca’s big inning was a four-run fifth. Leading 3-0, Jake Menasco (2-3, double, triple, RBI) had an RBI triple and Mitch Balmut and Gino Campiotti each had an RBI single. Jonathan Murillo added an RBI on a groundout. In the sixth inning Kyle Rachels (double, two RBI) doubled in Balmut (2 for 3, RBI).

Manteca got its first three runs over the first two innings via small ball and patience. Menasco doubled to start the game, took third on a sacrifice bunt by Balmut and came in on a sacrifice fly by Rachels.

Graves led off the second with a walk and was replaced on the bases by Campiotti who stole second and third and came home on a passed ball. Murillo followed Graves with a walk, stole second, took third on the same passed ball that scored Campiotti and scored on an RBI single by Pressley Keltner.

Manteca and Weston Ranch play in a semifinal contest Friday at 3:30 p.m.