East Union has had its share of one-run heartbreakers this season.

Monday’s 11-10 loss at Kimball was another one.

The Lancers failed to score a run in the top of the seventh inning despite loading the bases with one out. A pop fly to shallow right-center field followed by a force out at first base for an unconventional double play ended the game, East Union’s five-game winning streak and its hopes of returning to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs.

“Their right fielder did a great job of making the heads up throw behind the runner, but we should know better than that,” East Union coach Dan Triglia said. “We had just talked about not getting doubled off. We had many other opportunities to win the ballgame, so it wasn’t just that one play, but it was a tough way to lose.”

East Union (6-7, 12-10 overall) did well to climb back into the playoff race after starting out the Valley Oak League season 2-6, a stretch that includes two one-run losses to champion Oakdale, another at Sonora and one more at home against Lathrop.

It’s been that type of season for the Lancers, who were once considered frontrunners with most of their top talent back from last year’s VOL co-championship team.

Monday’s contest was a microcosmic of the season.

East Union jumped out to a 5-0 lead with its first two turns at the plate, but the Jaguars (6-7, 10-7), who still had a slim shot of stealing a postseason berth going in, battled back to take a 9-6 lead after rallying for four runs in the fifth.

Jordan Kron and Brock Swift swatted back-to-back two-run doubles to give the Lancers their final lead in the sixth.

Bryson Stonum walked to begin East Union’s one-out threat in the seventh. Steven Gigli and Kron also drew walks to load the bases before Swift’s popup to right center.

Zak Lewallen, Alex Dias (two RBIs, 2B) and Kron (two 2Bs) were each 2 for 4, and Gigli finished 2 for 3 with an RBI.

East Union closes the series and its season Wednesday at Agostini Field.

Sonora 18, Weston Ranch 0

In Stockton, the Cougars (2-11, 5-16) committed seven errors in the first three innings to help Sonora build a 15-0 cushion.

Staff ace Ryan Stevenson struck out 10 in a one-hit, five-inning gem for the Wildcats (8-5, 16-9). James Simerly belted the lone hit for Weston Ranch, which heads to Sonora today with standout Tyler Scharnow taking the mound.

Sophomore

Manteca 14, Sierra 3

Starting pitcher Michael Garibay retired 13 of the final 15 batters he faced as the Buffaloes (10-3, 14-7) remain in line to earn a share of the VOL championship with one game to go.

Garibay struck out five and became the third straight pitcher to go the distance for Manteca. He helped his cause with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate while driving in three runs.

Anthony Kieffaber and Brandon Landwehr both went 3 for 4 with two runs scored. Brandon Manchester was 2 for 3 with two runs.

East Union 11, Kimball 0

Joe Menzel twirled a two-hit shutout and faced the minimum 15 batters in East Union’s five-inning victory over the Jaguars.

Andrew Ruiz went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a triple to lead the offense. Jeremy Turner was 2 for 3 with a double, and Trevor Huntoon walked three times and doled out a hit on his only official at-bat.