CERES — With a second straight Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV postseason appearance no longer a possibility, East Union still showed some fight in nearly overcoming a six-run deficit but fell 13-12 to Ceres Thursday in eight innings.
A two-out base hit with runners on first and second clinched the victory for Ceres (5-7 Valley Oak League, 12-11 overall).
The Lancers (5-7, 10-10) trailed 9-3 going into the fifth after Ceres pieced together back-to-back four-run innings.
In the top of the sixth, Steven Weddington’s run-scoring double followed by Garrett Fisher’s two-RBI triple sparked the comeback, as East Union ran across six to tie it. EU went on to take a 12-11 lead with three runs in the seventh.
Weddington went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to lead East Union from the top of the order. Marshall Swift (three RBIs) and Wade Morten (two RBIs) each finished 2 for 3 from the plate.
Ceres did most of the damage from the bottom of its order, which produced 10 of the team’s 16 total hits.
East Union looks to play the spoiler role during next week’s season-ending, two-game set against rival Sierra. The Timberwolves need to sweep and for VOL champion Oakdale to beat Sonora twice to earn a playoff berth.
The Buffaloes managed to get six hits off Oakdale’s ace, with two apiece coming from Ricky Acosta and Sam Jorgensen. Ryan Knisley and Acosta drove in Manteca’s first runs with base hits.
Manteca next heads to Weston Ranch Tuesday.
Christan Vazquez finished 1 for 1 with an RBI.
A two-out base hit with runners on first and second clinched the victory for Ceres (5-7 Valley Oak League, 12-11 overall).
The Lancers (5-7, 10-10) trailed 9-3 going into the fifth after Ceres pieced together back-to-back four-run innings.
In the top of the sixth, Steven Weddington’s run-scoring double followed by Garrett Fisher’s two-RBI triple sparked the comeback, as East Union ran across six to tie it. EU went on to take a 12-11 lead with three runs in the seventh.
Weddington went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to lead East Union from the top of the order. Marshall Swift (three RBIs) and Wade Morten (two RBIs) each finished 2 for 3 from the plate.
Ceres did most of the damage from the bottom of its order, which produced 10 of the team’s 16 total hits.
East Union looks to play the spoiler role during next week’s season-ending, two-game set against rival Sierra. The Timberwolves need to sweep and for VOL champion Oakdale to beat Sonora twice to earn a playoff berth.
Oakdale 8, Manteca 4
In Oakdale, Manteca (3-9, 9-14-1) stunned Cal-bound pitcher Justin Jones and the Mustangs (12-0, 23-2) early by scoring twice in the opening inning, but a four-run fourth, aided by two errors, catapulted the league champions to victory.The Buffaloes managed to get six hits off Oakdale’s ace, with two apiece coming from Ricky Acosta and Sam Jorgensen. Ryan Knisley and Acosta drove in Manteca’s first runs with base hits.
Manteca next heads to Weston Ranch Tuesday.
Sonora 12, Weston Ranch 2
In Sonora, Michael Piccirilli got the start and lasted 1/13 before making way to Chris Fleckenstein, who closed it out.Christan Vazquez finished 1 for 1 with an RBI.
— Jonamar Jacinto
