By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Lancers hit way out of slump
Placeholder Image

TRACY — East Union’s baseball team busted out of its recent scoring slump in a big way on Tuesday, plating six runs in the top of the seventh inning to race away from Kimball with a 10-4 victory.
The Lancers (1-2, 7-5 overall) were held to just three runs in their Valley Oak League-opening series against Oakdale last week. East Union erupted for 12 hits on Tuesday, and Cameron Ceja went 4 for 4. Gyse Hulsebosch was 3 for 4 with two runs scored, while Brayden Hardcastle drove in three including two with a homer in the sixth.
“It was nice to get the 12 hits and score some runs, which had been limited lately,” East Union coach Dan Triglia said. “Hopefully this will continue as we get back to work in practice today.”
Sophomore Fernando Segura went the distance on the mound for East Union, striking out eight while surrendering two earned runs and five hits. The defense committed three errors, leading to unearned runs. Kimball (3-2, 7-4-1) was able to tie it in the bottom of the sixth on Dax Dibble’s two-run homer.
“We got a very good pitching performance by Fernando — he gutted it out,” Triglia said. “He pounded the (strike) zone as best he could, just have to do a better job behind him defensively.”
Kimball also struggled with the mitts, especially during the Lancers’ last-inning outburst.
Ceja led off the seventh and scored the go-ahead run when Danny Marquez dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance him. Marquez wound up reaching on a two-base error that allowed Ceja to jaunt home.
Hulsebosch and Hardcastle later roped RBI singles, and both scored on throwing errors.
Jacob Sousa contributed two hits and a run. Andrew Morones had a leadoff double in the second inning and tallied the game’s first run.
Oakdale 4, Lathrop 1
OAKDALE — Three unearned runs helped first-place Oakdale (5-0 VOL, 12-2 overall) knock off the Spartans (0-3, 3-8-1), who totaled four errors.
Cullen Bearden went 2 for 4 and slugged a pair of doubles for the Mustangs. Shawn Cummings drove in Lathrop’s only run with a sacrifice fly that plated Lorenzo Macchiocchi in the fifth. Johnny McCuaig went 2 for 3 with a walk to lead the Spartans’ offense.
Oakdale pitcher Vito Rodin was able to work out of trouble throughout, striking out seven over six innings. The Mustangs committed four errors behind him. Michael Juarez got the save.
 Central Catholic 3, Weston Ranch 0
MODESTO —Chase Costa scored twice for Central Catholic (2-3 VOL, 4-8 overall), while Joey Mundt pitched five innings for the win.
Manuel Rubio took the loss after throwing four innings. Amier Bowen pitched the final two for the Cougars (1-2, 9-5).
“We had chances but a runner got thrown out at home and another on a hit and run,” Weston Ranch coach David Hager said. “We were able to get some decent at-bats, we just have to execute better when we have opportunities.”
Gustine 5,
Ripon Christian 2
RIPON — Brock Nunes (2 for 2) and Ian Vrieling each drove in a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but it was too little, too late for Ripon Christian (3-2 Southern League, 7-4 overall). Dale Fisher and Brian Thomas scored the runs.
Jadon Vander Molen gave up five runs (two earned) on two this and five walks while fanning six in 4 1/3 innings. Kizer Vanderveer threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
GOLF
Kimball 247,
Manteca 266
Manteca’s Dylan Haro finished a stroke shy of garnering co-medalist honors, carding a 46 at Manteca Park Golf Course.
Chris Maxfield and Inigo Jaque each led Kimball with a 45. Other scorers for Manteca (2-5 VOL) were Matsua Garcia Mendez (51), Isaac Bill (54), Ruben Hurtado (58) and Adrian Gonzales (57).
Weston Ranch 248,
Lathrop DQ
TRACY — Christian Guzman finished even par to earn the top spot at Old River Golf Course.
Luke Marcello (47), Curtis Kimbro (53) and Sebastian Iniquez (58) also participated for the host Spartans.
Austin Thao and Lorenzo Golfo paced Weston Ranch with a 40 and 43, respectively.
TENNIS
Manteca 9,
 Weston Ranch 0
The Buffaloes (9-0, 10-6 overall) remain on pace to seize the VOL title with yet another lopsided performance.
Solman Aniss (6-0, 6-0), Si Hao Tang (6-0, 6-1), Yok Eyh Ma (6-2, 6-1), Yok Whai Ma (6-0, 6-0), Joseph Poncini (6-2, 6-1) and DeAngelo Caldera (6-0, 6-0) all swept. Doubles winners were Dhillon Patel/Kevin Lin (6-0, 6-0), Jake Tolbert/Cameron Gonzales (6-0, 6-1) and Robert Foo/Niko Plares (6-1, 6-1).
Lathrop 5, East Union 4
East Union forfeited the Nos. 2 and 3 doubles matches, proving to be the difference.
The Lancers claimed the Nos. 1-4 singles matches, getting the wins from Jake Kramer (6-0, 6-3), Hector Romero (6-3, 6-3), Mathew Vadachira (7-5, 6-1) and Jeffin Abraham (4-6, 6-4, 10-6).
Nick Licea (7-5, 6-2), Zachary Attiya (6-0, 6-0) and doubles partners Alfonso Belangel and Justin Barber (6-1, 6-3) earned points for Lathrop.
Sophomore baseball
East Union 4, Kimball 3
TRACY — Anthony Contreras (six strikeouts) was two hits away from pitching a no-hitter, but Kimball was able to scratch across three runs — two charged to Contreras — in the bottom of the seventh to extend the VOL contest.
Daniel Ruiz plated the winning run in the top of the ninth, then recorded the save in the bottom half after getting the final out.
Evan Heath went 3 for 5, and Jose Alaniz crushed a two-run double in the fourth inning.
Sophomore softball
East Union 10, West 1
TRACY — Kaitlyn Leal twirled a one-hit gem, collecting six strikeouts and no walks in the process.
Karis Madrid and Kayla Bottoms each went 2 for 2 to highlight the attack. The Lancers improved to 11-4.
Freshman baseball
Sierra 10, Oakdale 0 (5)
Louis Aquila pitched four no-hit innings, and Jesse Ortiz-Martinez completed the shutout in relief.
Ortiz-Martinez was also 2 for 2 with two walks, two doubles and two runs from the plate. Aquila added an RBI double. Ben Supinger tagged two hits and plated three runs. William Rocha chipped in two RBIs, including a bases-loaded walk. Matt Dunham scored twice, and Mauricio Arnoldus had an RBI single.
Sierra improved to 1-1 in the VOL, 8-3 overall.