Manteca High’s boys tennis team didn’t get the desired results during the first day of the California Classic at Fresno City College, but coach Frank Fontana believes the experience alone will pay off in the long run.

The Buffaloes took their first three losses of the year in the Division IV bracket, where they were matched up with the likes of Immanuel (Reedley), Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) and Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland).

“We come down here for the level of play and this is what we needed to push others,” Fontana said.

Manteca lost to Immanuel 4-2, with wins coming from No. 2 singles Michael Lopez (6-1, 6-0) and No. 3 Gino Mercado (6-1, 6-1).Top player Yok Jing Ma dropped a 4-6, 7-5, 7-10 decision to Aaron Reimer.

Cardinal Newman and Manteca battled to a 3-3 draw, though Newman narrowly won the tiebreaker (most games won, 54-52). Lopez (6-3, 6-3) was again victorious. The Buffaloes other two wins were garnered by No. 2 doubles Nolan Osborn and Kyle Thornburg (6-3, 7-6 [8-2]) and No. 3 Dhillon Patel and Yayha Shabbar (6-2, 6-1).

Manteca capped the day with a 5-1 loss to Bishop O’Dowd but with Ma sitting this one out. Kyle Thornburg (6-1, 6-4) picked up the team’s lone point.

“Overall, a successful day even in losses,” Fontana said. “It gives our team things to work on. We played three private schools and held our own.”

Manteca next faces Los Alamitos this morning at 10.



East Union 7, Weston Ranch 2

Weston Ranch’s Kent Balacy topped Andrew Rossette 6-3, 6-1 in the No. 1 singles match, but the visiting Cougars could only muster one other win in what was an otherwise competitive Valley Oak League duel. Nick Salvador edged East Union’s Carlos Campos in the showdown of the day at No. 6 singles, as each set was decided via tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), 10-8.

The Lancers claimed all three doubles matches, but winning the battle of 1s was no easy task for the East Union tandem of Sham Aulakh and Roxin Manjooran, who prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4). The Gerardo Romero/Jose Sanchez (6-1, 6-1) and Raul Denuas/Hector Romero (6-0, 6-1) won more decisively.

Getting singles points for EU were Kevin Flores (6-4, 6-2), Kyle Niendorf (6-1, 7-5), Tim Lumauig (6-3, 7-5) and Jake Kramer (6-4, 6-1).



SOFTBALL

East Union 18, Tokay 3

Cherish Burks plated four runs in a 3-for-3 effort, and sisters Samantha and Izabella Owen each went 3 for 4 as the Lancers rolled to their second victory in the St. Mary’s Tournament held at Stockton’s Arnaiz Softball Complex on Friday. Samantha Owen also drove in four runs.

Michelle Castro contributed three hits of her own, while Deja Guzman doled out two. Winning pitcher Mikayla Bongi pitched four shutout innings before making way for Delaney Pamplin.

 

SWIMMING

Tracy 95, Sierra 78 (G)

Natalie Jamero (200 freestyle), Vanessa Flores (50 free) and Gwyneth Berry (100 free) were Sierra’s only first-place winners in Friday’s nonleague dual meet hosted by Tracy High. Jamero was also part of the winning 200 free relay.



Tracy 85, Sierra 77 (B)

The Timberwolves took first in eight of the 11 events but could not overcome Tracy’s superior depth.

Zach Thomas (50 free, 100 free) and Scott Tolman (200 IM, 100 breast) were double winners. They were also part of the winning 200 medley and 200 free relays.

Trevor Fast (100 fly, 200 medley relay) and John Buonauro (100 back, 200 medley relay) also contributed first-place points.