By DAVE CAMPBELL

The Bulletin

In baseball, teams almost always choose to be home when the opportunity presents itself.

Almost always.

In the coin toss to determine home team or dugout of choice Friday between the tournament host Turlock National and Manteca in the Section 8 Senior All-Star Tournament, Turlock won and due to the blistering heat selected the dugout in the shade, leaving Manteca to choose to be home team. It did not work out well for Turlock National.

Manteca hit early and often and ended the game after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule with a 16-3 semifinal win at Pedretti Park. The win catapults Manteca to the championship round tonight at 7.

Jake Menasco went the distance on the hill for Manteca, allowing six hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

Mitch Balmut led the Manteca hitting parade, going 4 for 4 with two RBI and four runs. Kyle Rachels was 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI, Tyler Miloslovich 2 for 2 and Jonathan Murillo 2 for 4.