FOLSOM — Manteca came, saw and conquered the College Baseball Match Classic hosted by Vista del Lago this week.
The Buffaloes claimed the tournament title at Folsom Lake College on Wednesday night, clobbering Yuba City 12-2 in this battle of the 2017 Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinalists.
After a 0-3-1 start the season, Manteca (9-3-1) is now rolling as it shifts its focus back to Valley Oak League competition. The Buffs will begin their two-game set with rival East Union next Tuesday at Agostini Field.
“Really proud of how the boys grinded the past six days,” Manteca coach Neil MacDannald said. “To play that well for six games in six days is a testament to the leadership and will of this team. That is a top-notch tournament. We are glad to have represented the south part of our section well. We will get back to work and be ready for VOL play next week.”
The Honkers (8-4) plated both of their runs in the third inning on a hit by Logan Meyers, but Manteca countered with a six-run rally in the bottom half to stretch its early lead to 10-2. The Buffaloes scored two more in the fourth to put the mercy rule in play.
Alex Gouveia sparked them from the top of the order, going 4 for 4 with a double, four RBIs and three runs. Manteca belted 12 hits in all, four of which went for extra bases. Gino Campiotti connected for a triple and went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs.
Zach Chamberlain (2 for 4, run, RBI), Christian Cruz (double, run, two RBIs) and Ferrin Manuleleua (RBI double) also highlighted the attack.
Manteca was able to get solid pitching throughout the tournament and saved sophomore ace Ryan Ward for the final. He allowed two unearned runs, six hits and struck out three in three innings. Isaac Maldonado faced just seven batters in two relief innings, giving up one hit.
Fresno Easter Classic
Cosumnes Oaks 6, Sierra 2
FRESNO — The Wolfpack (10-1) tallied three runs on a bases-clearing double by John Sheehan in the second inning Wednesday.
Julian Cantu had a two-out RBI single in the first for the Timberwolves (5-5) and added another run in the seventh on a fielder’s choice J.T. Ortiz-Martinez. Jesse Ortiz-Martinez went 1 for 2 for Sierra.
Nonleague
Lathrop 5, Stagg 4 (8)
LATHROP — The Spartans (5-3-1) recorded their third straight victory thanks to Shawn Cummings’ game-winning hit in the bottom of the eighth.
Sophomore Christian Nuon shined for Lathrop, twirling five solid innings from the mound while racking up five strikeouts and allowing three hits and three walks. At the plate, he went 4 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs.
Colin Weis factored into the decision after pitching three hitless innings in relief. Jacob Eijansantos hit 2 for 4 with a RBI, while Matt Julien went 2 for 4 with a run.
Lodi 1, East Union 0
LODI — Lodi was held to just one hit but took advantage of three walks and an error to score the lone run in the sixth inning during the front end of a doubleheader at Zupo Field.
Danny Marquez, Danny Ruiz, Mason James, Brayden Hardcastle and Anthony Contreras each had a hit for East Union. Jake Souza was the losing pitcher after logging four-plus innings.
Lodi 8, East Union 4
LODI — The Lancers (4-6) finally broke out, but Lodi (5-3) was able to answer each of their scoring bursts.
Hardcastle batted in Marquez in the top of the first to end the scoreless skid, and the Flames rallied for three runs in the bottom half to take the lead for good. Andrew Morones and Marquez each had a RBI hit, and James plated the final run on an error in the sixth.
Sophomore
Sierra 5, Enochs 4
The Timberwolves scored four runs in the sixth inning Wednesday to key the non-league win.
Louis Aquila led off the Sierra sixth with a walk with Jessie Davis reaching on an error and Arnoldus Mauricio walking to load the bases. Deshon Thomas then singled on a 1-2 offering to score Aquila and Davies with Mauricio and Thomas coming in on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Steven Eaves.
Aquila scored in the first when Thomas reached on an error.
Oakdale 3, East Union 2
The Mustangs scored two in the bottom of the seventh Tuesday for the VOL win.
Carlos Alvarez pitched the first six innings for the Lancers (0-2 VOL, 3-3 overall striking out seven, walking one with seven hits and one earned run.
Alvarez (run) went 2 for 4, Austin Scott was 1 for 2 and Andrew Oliveras, Scotty Armstrong, Marcus Sequiera and Logan Harries (run) were all 1 for 3.
