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Manteca, EU, Ripon host playoff openers; River Islands debuts
SJS Baseball Playoffs ADV
East Union’s Jackson Fay slides to second base on a steal against shortstop Nate Slikker and visiting Manteca in a Valley Oak League game on April 23. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/Bulletin file photo

Three area schools are home to start the Sac-Joaquin Section baseball playoffs today.

Meanwhile, River Islands makes its first postseason appearance and could face top-seeded Ripon Christian in the quarterfinals. Ripon Christian opens with a bye after capturing the Trans Valley League title for the first time.

All first-round games start at 4 p.m.

The Valley Oak League is well represented in the playoffs with all seven members qualifying and its top four teams in the top 20 of MaxPreps’ overall section rankings.

Manteca (20-8) is seeded No. 3 in Division III and begins with No. 14 Antelope (8-16-1) following a hard-earned runner-up finish in the VOL. Sierra (11-17) joins city rival Manteca in the D-III bracket as the No. 10 seed. The Timberwolves take on seventh-seeded El Capitan (21-7), the Central California Conference champion.

In Division IV, No. 4 East Union (19-8) will welcome No. 13 Center (10-16-1) to Agostini Field. On the other side of the bracket are VOL foes Central Catholic and Oakdale, the Nos. 2 and 6 seeds, respectively.

Ripon (17-9) gets at least one home game at Mistlin Sports Complex after finishing second in the Trans Valley League. The Indians are seventh in Division V open against No. 10 Destiny Christian Academy (15-12).

SJS Baseball Playoffs ADV
With his River Islands cheering from the dugout, Matthew Echivarre slides home to complete his inside-the-park grand slam against visiting Turlock Christian on March 30. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/Bulletin file photo

River Islands has a tough draw in the Division VI Nos. 8-9 matchup, as it travels to Southern League champion Mariposa (19-6) — winners of 19 straight. The Riptide (14-7) are coming off a runner-up finish in the Central California Athletic Alliance.

Whichever of the two prevails will head to Ripon Christian (25-2) on Friday. As a former member of the Southern League, the Knights have history with Mariposa but have yet to meet River Islands on the diamond. Ripon Christian is riding a 16-game winning streak.

Section championship games are on May 20-23 at Sacramento City College. All finalists in Divisions I-III qualify for the CIF Northern Regionals, while only the champions in Divisions IV-VII move on.