Crosstown rivals Manteca High and Sierra High are in a similar position — both are fighting for a softball playoff spot in the Valley Oak League.
“Every game is important,” said coach Don Hughes after his visiting Timberwolves fell to the Buffaloes on Tuesday, 6-2.
He noted that the VOL has four spots for the post season.
“We’re not there yet,” said Manteca coach Josh Farris, who got a solid pitching performance from Alyssah Harnden.
Backed by a strong defense, she worked her way out of jams earlier in the game. Included was a putout at the plate in the third inning and a sliding catch by centerfielder Kalissa Martin to end the threat in the fourth.
Manteca (5-4 VOL, 8-8) scored twice in the fourth, adding three in the fifth, and one more in the sixth.
Hitless through three innings, the Buffaloes strung up three straight hits including a lead-off double by Kaylee MacDannald, who went 3 for 3 at the plate.
Mohrgen Kissee was safe on a bunt, loading the bases.
MacDannald came home on Martin’s RBI single. Allanah Harnden plated Kissee with a base hit.
Up 2-0, the Buffaloes made it 5-0 in the fifth.
MacDannald scored on Alyssah Harnden’s sacrifice fly while Washburn and Alannah Harnden following that up with RBI singles, scoring Kaileah Johannsen and Kissee, respectively.
MacDannald, who reached base on a bunt single, later scored on a throwing error at third in the sixth.
Sierra (4-6 VOL, 4-7) finally scored in the seventh. Isabel Gomez led off with a single followed by Lissette Mejias’ base hit two outs later. Both scored on Mia Guevara’s base knock.
The Timberwolves will have time off until next Tuesday. They’ll host Kimball that day followed by Weston Ranch later that week.
Manteca, by contrast, will be playing six games in five days, including a road game at Weston Ranch today followed by the Nor-Cal tournament in Tracy later this week.
Kimball 14,
Weston Ranch 0
STOCKTON — The score may not quite indicate the effort by the Cougars (1-9 VOL, 5-13) against the visiting Jaguars on Tuesday.
Kimball (4-5 VOL, 4-9) scored four in the first, adding two more in the second and third innings and one in the fourth before erupting for five in the sixth.
“(The Jaguars) made the most of their opportunities,” said Weston Ranch coach Ron Wayman. “We played a great game with no errors.”
He praised his pitcher Stephanie Borba, who held her own without having the run support.
In addition, catcher Evelyn Vance and Sheree White both went 2 for 3 at the plate for the Cougars.
Freshmen
East Union 22, Oakdale 1
Myresa Harper went 3 for 3 with a double and four RBI to lead the Lancers past the Mustangs in Tuesday’s VOL game.
Sopha Torrice, who also drove in four runs, was 2 for 2 as was Hailey Reich, who had a double with three RBI.
Brooke Grabowski got the win, pitching all five innings with eight strikeouts. She helped her cause by going 2 for 2 with a pair of RBI.
Baseball
St. Joseph’s 11, Ripon 0
ATWATER – Ripon High is 1-1 in the Fran Oneto / Atwater-Winton Lions Easter Tournament after falling to St. Joseph Notre Dame of Alameda in pool play on Tuesday.
Ripon (10-8) will take on host Atwater today at 4 p.m. at Memorial Ballpark.
The Indians along with St. Joseph, Downey and Atwater are Pool A of this 60th annual event.
Pool B consists of Valley, Turlock Christian, Mountain House and Livingston.
