CERES — East Union’s baseball team committed five errors and missed a big opportunity to put up a crooked number in the fifth inning of its 8-4 nonleague loss to Ceres on Friday.
Trailing 5-4 in the top of the fifth, the Lancers (2-5) were able to load the bases with no outs but popped out and hit into a double play. Their struggles on defense were more concerning for Coach Dan Triglia.
“The story of the game was Ceres played catch and we did not play catch,” he said. “The errors hurt us.”
East Union did come through with clutch hits earlier in the game to build a 4-1 lead. Scott Morenzone started a two-out rally in the second with a walk, and after Gyse Hulsebosch’s base hit Adrian Affleje knocked them both in with a double.
The Lancers doubled the lead in the third. Mason James drove in Eric Flores with a hit, and Brayden Hardcastle slugged a two-out triple. Starting pitcher Nick Jones settled down from there for Ceres (6-2), as he and reliever Zach Commavong did not give up a hit the rest of the way.
East Union looks to rebound at Lodi’s Zupo Field next Monday.

SOCCER
Manteca 4, Grace Davis 1
MODESTO — The Buffaloes (9-1) sprinted away from host Davis (2-4) with a three-goal outburst in the second half of their final tune-up for the Valley Oak League.
Leah Manuleleua finished with a hat trick for a second straight day, and Josie Reyes capped off the scoring. Madison Burch, Carly Morrish and Alexa Mayen each had an assist.
Manteca kicks off VOL play at Weston Ranch on Monday.