Manteca used the whole package Tuesday with stellar hitting, pitching and fielding to hand Ripon a 10-0 six-inning mercy rule loss in non-league baseball action at Manteca High.
“It was a pretty full team win,” Buffaloes coach Neil MacDannald said. “Most kids on the bench contributed in some way, shape or form.
“Andrew (Brunn) pitched pretty lights-out. He pitched to contact and we played catch again behind him. I am really proud of that defense.”
Manteca put up five runs in the first inning.
“We came out banging right from inning one,” MacDannald said. “When you put someone in a five-run hole like we did it kind of gives them a shock to their system. And then we were able to get back into the dugout quick after the top of the second.
“When you put up a big number and if you can get back in the dugout quick it really puts the pressure on the other side.”
The lone hit Brunn gave up was in the first inning. Through the next four innings Brunn only gave up two walks and he struck out eight in the five innings he pitched.
“Honestly I just throw it down the middle every time for them to hit it,” Brunn said. “The strikeouts were a little strange because I don’t throw that hard.
“But it is nice when you have a good defense behind you.”
A good offense helps, too. Ronald Tijero (2 for 4, triple, two RBI) had a two-RBI triple as part of the big first inning for the Buffaloes (4-1). Kyle Rachels added a double in the frame and was 2 for 3 with a two-run triple in a four-run fourth inning.
“Especially early in the count I just look for a good pitch to hit,” Rachels said. “I just try to get the barrel on the ball and make some contact.
“Brunn threw a lot of strikes and that helped us out. And our defense was just playing catch and making good throws.”
Mitch Balmut hit three singles in his first three at-bats, finishing 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs.
“I needed a big day at the plate,” Balmut said. “But we won because we can hit the ball and throw strikes.”
Leadoff batter Jake Menasco reached base three times, going 2 for 3 with two runs and two stolen bases and he was hit by a pitch. Alex Gouveia was 2 for 3 with a double and Brett Kovacs sent the Indians (4-2) home early when he hit a sacrifice fly to center in the sixth, scoring Trevor Crippen and ending the game on the 10-run mercy rule.