East Union held on to beat visiting Kimball for its first Valley Oak League win of the season Thursday at Agostini Field.

With runners at the corners, Kimball attempted a double steal at the top of seventh inning.

“We cut the ball and, instead, gunned down the runner at home,” said East Union coach Dan Triglia.



East Union 2, Kimball 1

The Lancers (1-2 in VOL, 2-11 overall) managed a run in the third as Gabe Chavez , who reached base on a single – he moved to second on a fielder’s choice and stole third – scored on a wild pitch.

Chavez was also hot at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a double.

Kimball came back to the tie the game at 1-1 in the fourth.

East Union countered with the go-ahead run in the sixth. Jake Graves drew a two-out walk and was replaced on the base path by Matt McGehee, who subsequently stole second and scored on Chavez’s RBI base hit.

The game arguably belonged to senior hurler Lucas Garcia, who went all seven innings, scattering six hits, striking out six and walking three. The only run against him was unearned.



Oakdale 12, Lathrop 0

The Mustangs broke loose for a big second inning while cruising to a VOL win at Lathrop.

The Spartans (0-4 VOL, 3-9 overall) scratched out a hit in fourth inning. Coach Randy Baltazar credited Carter Scott for breaking up the no hitter.

“We can’t afford to give up five an inning nor throw the ball around against a good offensive club like Oakdale,” he added. “They came out with hot bats.”

The Mustangs improved to 5-1 in league, 9-5 overall.



Central Catholic 7, Weston Ranch 3

Brad Nightengale for the Raiders put together a stellar pitching performance against the Cougars.

“He just dealt,” said Weston Ranch coach Dave Hagar. “Nightengale has a three-quarter (pitching) delivery and throws with good velocity – he kept us off balanced.”

Central Catholic (3-3 in VOL, 7-7 overall) benefited from 13 hits led by Ryan Vierra, who ripped a pair of doubles and also scored twice.

Kyle Costa had two hits for the Raiders while driving in a pair.

Weston Ranch (1-4 in VOL, 6-11 overall) was led by catcher Steven Jasper, who drove in all three runs. He, Josh Dilg and C.J. Drain accounted for the Cougars’ hits.

Nightengale, besides limiting Weston Ranch to three hits, fanned eight and walked three. Only one of the three runs scored on him was earned.

“We ran into a very good team today,” Hagar said.



Trans-Valley League

Ripon 10,
Modesto Christian 0

Sophomore Jack Mayer pitched a gem, allowing just three hits, striking out 12 and issuing a walk for the complete-game victory.

Along the way, he received plenty of run support.

The Indians (7-2 in the Trans Valley League, 9-4 overall) scored a run in the first inning, adding four in the second,  and two more in the third and fourth. For added measure, Ripon pushed across a run in the sixth.

Junior Nick Price provided most of the power, rapping out a pair of doubles while going 3 for 4 and delivering home three runs.

Brandon Scott also went 3 for 4 with two RBI.

Sammy Souza scored three times while collecting a pair of hits. The Indians also got hit each from CJ Little, Jacob Duxbury, and Mayer.