The Manteca Buffaloes scored in each of the first four innings and got a combined four-hit shutout from pitchers Isabel Tonna and Riley Ward Thursday afternoon, completing the season sweep over rival Sierra, 9-0.
“At times it kind of felt like we were just going through the motions, but obviously, anytime you can win a league game it’s a good thing,” Manteca head coach Josh Farris said. “The bats got going, which was good to see as we head into what will be a big week for us next week.”
Manteca (4-2 VOL, 11-6 overall) pounded out 12 hits in the game against Sierra (1-8, 6-8) starting pitcher Valeria Villanueva (seven innings, five strikeouts) highlighted by a five-hit, five-run second inning that saw the Buffaloes bat around.
The rally started with back-to-back one-out hits by Lauren Moncada (2-4, two RBI, run) and Ayva Wilkins (1-3, two runs). Neriah Flores (2-4, RBI, run) drove in Moncada with a leadoff double before coming around to score with Wilkins on a two-out two-run single from Aleisa Harris (2-4, two RBI, run). Na'ima Calderon (1-3, two RBI) capped the rally with yet another two-out single to blow the game open and make it 6-0 after an inning and a half.
“It was good to see us string some at-bats together,” Farris said. “It has been a theme on the season where we’re leaving too many runners on base and missing out on that one big inning, and we were able to get it today which oftentimes is the difference in the game.”
While her team was putting up runs, senior Isabel Tonna (three innings, five strikeouts) quieted Sierra bats, facing the minimum through the first three innings while not allowing a hit and walking just one.
Tonna would be relieved by junior Riley Ward (four innings, seven strikeouts), who was equally effective keeping the Timberwolves at a distance, while Manteca continued to add on runs.
“We aren’t a one-pitcher team,” Farris said. “The plan today was to get both girls work and keep them fresh going into next week. I thought they both located the ball well, and our defense did a good job behind them.”
Villanueva settled in after the big second inning allowing a lone run in the third and two in the fourth after a two-out rally ended with a two RBI base hit from Moncada made it 9-0 going into the bottom of the fourth.
“I am really proud of the way this team continues to compete,” Sierra head coach Jacob Martinez said. “Coming off of a big come-from-behind win against Mountain House, I wasn’t sure what to expect today, but we’re continuing to take good at-bats and defend.”
The Sierra defense was a big part of the game going the full seven innings, as Manteca hit balls hard at Timberwolves defenders that made plays to keep the deficit at single digits.
Offensively, Sierra was led by catcher Giovanna Garcia (2-3) and Genyssa Rodriguez (1-3). Back-to-back one-out hits in the fourth inning against Ward started the only rally for the Timberwolves, but Ward was able to work around the runners with back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning unscathed.
For Martinez, Thursday’s contest represented an opportunity for his team to get better.
“Obviously, you want to win games, but we have a really young team that is starting to put things together,” Martinez said. “We have a bunch of games left to build upon the good things we’re doing and finish the season strong.”
For Farris, an opportunity to check off one of his squad’s goals heading into the season presents itself next week.
“One of the things we try to do is sweep the city,” Farris said. “We’ve been successful in doing that lately and have one last game against East Union next week to do it again.”
First pitch For Manteca at East Union will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Sierra will head to Oakdale next Thursday afternoon also at 4 p.m.
