TRACY — Christian Guzman needed an unforgettable effort to finally get over the hump against Central Catholic’s loaded golf team on Thursday.
And he got off to an inauspicious start, bogeying the first hole at Old River Golf Course. The Lathrop junior caught fire after that, rolling to an impressive 6-under-par 30 finish — on just the first nine.
Central Catholic wound up winning the team competition with a 210, while the host Spartans forfeited the Valley Oak League dual match with only three players competing. But the day belonged to Guzman.
“He had never been low medalist against Central Catholic,” Lathrop coach Cesar Fernandez said. “This was three years in the making. Today, he was lights out.”
Guzman birdied holes 3-6 in succession, eagled the 513-yard, par-five eighth and closed it out with yet another birdie on the ninth. It was Lathrop’s third match at Old River in as many days. Guzman finished with even 36s in dual matches against Weston Ranch and Kimball on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
At this rate, Guzman has a good shot at earning another MVP award in the VOL after doing so his freshman year. Luke Marcello (51) and Sebastian Iniquez (66) were the other competitors for Lathrop. The Raiders were led by Tyler Ward’s 36. Bryce Wade followed with a 38, and Nick O’Brien had a 39.
Oakdale 189, Manteca 268
David Myrtakis and Josh Berrerra both finished 1-under 37, while Calvin Reed and Zachary Tamburino parred the front nine at Manteca Park Golf Course to anchor Oakdale’s outstanding team tally.
Manteca (2-6) was led by Nathan Ibe’s 48. Dylan Haro (51), Ruben Hurtado (55), Isaac Bill (56) and Matsua Garcia-Mendez (58) were other scorers for the Buffaloes.
BASEBALL
Weston Ranch 1,
Central Catholic 1 (ppd.)
STOCKTON — The game still hangs in the balance after the game was called in the eighth inning of a 1-1 ballgame at Weston Ranch.
Both runs were plated in the third inning. In the top half, Orlando Leon reached on an error and scored on a passed ball for the Raiders (2-3 VOL, 4-9 overall). Weston Ranch (1-2, 9-5) quickly answered with Manuel Rubio knocking in James Peavey, who led off with a single.
It was otherwise a pitcher’s duel starring Central Catholic’s Alex Escobar and Rylan Tinsley of Weston Ranch. Tinsley registered seven strikeouts in five innings.
Reliever C.J. Drain pitched perfect sixth and seventh innings before running into trouble in the eighth when he gave up a one-out double. He got out of the jam with a flyout to centerfield and a strikeout.
The rest of the game will be made up at a date yet to be determined.
SOFTBALL
Weston Ranch 19, Lathrop 16
LATHROP — The Cougars (1-5 VOL, 2-11 overall) held on to win a barnburner against their rivals.
Naomi Del Barrio went 3 for 3 for Lathrop (0-6, 3-10). Cydney Garcia, Brittany Johnson (double, triple), Adelina Moreno, Taylor Brim and Annalisa Garcia (double) all finished 2 for 4.
TRACK & FIELD
East Union at Oakdale
With just five available athletes, East Union’s varsity girls were knocked down from the four-way race for the VOL title. Oakdale took advantage, winning 100-36.
The two teams started the day with one loss apiece and were part of a first-place logjam with Sierra and Kimball.
“The five girls I had all ran their hearts out, but in the end their legs got tired,” East Union coach Rick Cuevas said.
Jadyn Snear (100, 200) and Patricia Tajii (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles) each won two individual events and were part of the winning 4x100 relay.
Sophomore Levi Huffman highlighted the varsity boys, clearing 12 feet to win the pole vault.
