Ryan Ward got all the run support he needed in the first inning, as Manteca scored three runs and rode its freshman pitcher to a 6-1 victory over visiting Merced on Tuesday.
Ward (4-0) struck out 10 and walked three over six innings, and Andrew Brunn pitched a perfect seventh to complete the one-hitter.
“Ryan did a great job throwing strikes today with multiple pitches,” Manteca coach Neil MacDannald said. “He competes each time out.”
The Buffaloes (5-2) did their damage early, and every run of the game was plated in the first three innings.
Joel Olmos sparked the offense from the top of the lineup, going 2 for 2 with a double, a run and an RBI. Kyle Rachels (two runs, RBI) and Isaac Maldonado (RBI) both went 2 for 4, and Alex Gouveia scored twice.
Defensively, Manteca committed just one error.
“That was a good team win,” MacDannald said. “We played good defense and had a better approach at the plate today. We’ll need at least a similar effort tomorrow at Escalon.”

Weston Ranch 4, McNair 2
STOCKTON — Raymond Acosta keyed the road win for Weston Ranch (6-3), pitching four scoreless innings in middle relief. C.J. Drain, with help from a 4-6-3 double play, got the save.
Drain also powered the offense, going 3 for 4 with two doubles and a run. McNair (2-4) led 2-0 until Drain drove in Larry Martinez (doubled) in the fifth inning. The Cougars scored two in the inning and two more to jump ahead in the sixth.
“We kind of had to grind it out today,” Weston Ranch coach David Hager said. “They consistently battled and didn’t give in.
“Raymond Acosta went out there and competed his butt off. He threw fantastic.”

Sophomore baseball
Manteca 18, Merced 1 (5)
Dylan Guise and Dominic Rea each hit a home run, and the Buffaloes rolled to improve to 6-0 on the season.
Logan Quan and Guise gave up just one hit combined.