Justin Nieto was impressive for East Union, tossing a mercy-rule shortened, complete-game win with 12 strikeouts and no walks Thursday as the Lnacers beat Patterson 11-1.
Nieto cruised, surrendering just one hit and the one harmless run in the fourth inning.
“He did an excellent job controlling his pitches,” East Union head coach Dan Triglia said. “Hopefully with him being our No. 2 guy he is rounding into form from basketball to baseball.”
Brennan Koeller had the big hit for East Union, smacking a bases-loaded double to break open a huge seven-run third inning. Koeller finished 2-for-3 with a game-high four RBI.
Jordan Kron, Andrew Ruiz and Jake Danhoff were all 2-for3 with Ruiz and Danhoff both driving in a run. Lucas Garica had a triple in the fifth and came around to score on a Justin Ontiveros RBI.
East Union (3-2) will be on the diamond again Saturday when they travel to Tracy to take on the Bulldogs at Monte Vista Middle School. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Manteca 1, Escalon 0
The Buffaloes got a solo shot from catcher Buddy Reeder and a complete-game shutout from pitcher Jake Corn to outlast the Escalon Cougars 1-0 Thursday.
Corn went seven innings, striking out four and scattering just four hits.
His battery mate’s solo home run in the fifth inning was all the support he would need.
Dominick Pisano was 2-for-2 and Reeder finished the game 2-for-3 with the lone RBI.
Manteca (5-3) will kick off the Valley Oak League season with Weston Ranch Tuesday.
“We are going to continue to work hard and get ready for Tuesday,” Manteca head coach Gene Ballardo said.
Ripon Christian 10,
Waterford 0
The Knights (2-0, 3-5-1)wasted little time blowing the top of their matchup with Waterford, scoring nine runs in their first six outs to put the Southern League matchup away before it got going Thursday.
Josh English was the winning pitcher for the Knights, holding Waterford to just three hits in the five inning affair.
Travis Vander Molen scored three runs and was 1-for-2, while both Chris Saenz and Dominic Nelson both had RBI doubles.
