OAKDALE — Manteca High’s baseball team has some work to do in defense of its Valley Oak League championship.

Oakdale completed a series sweep of the Buffaloes on Thursday, rolling to a 9-1 victory. On Tuesday, Mustangs (9-1) eked out a 1-0 win in nine innings at Manteca in the VOL opener for both clubs.

Leadoff hitter Joel Olmos went 2 for 3 for the Buffaloes (7-4) and plated their lone run in the top of the first inning. It was all Mustangs from there, as they evened the score in the bottom half before breaking it open with three runs each in the third and fourth innings. 

Manteca was limited to just three hits, with Alex Gouveia accounting for the other one. Oakdale accumulated 11 knocks and struck out just once.

It doesn’t get easier for the Buffaloes, who head to Vista del Lago today — weather permitting — for a rematch of last year’s thrilling Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinal. Manteca swept the best-of-three series against the top-seeded team en route to claiming its second section title in three years.

VOL action resumes next week against upstart Weston Ranch.

SOFTBALL

Central Catholic 5, Manteca 2

MODESTO — The Buffaloes (9-4) had a five-game winning streak snapped by Central Catholic (10-1), which never trailed after plating three runs in the first inning at Rainbow Fields.

Sierra Martinez highlighted the Sierra offense with an RBI triple and a run. Haighley Kissee pitched a complete game, scattering five hits striking out nine.

GOLF

Ripon 198, Mountain House DQ

RIPON — Luis Candido finished 4-over par 36 at Jack Tone Golf Course to help Ripon improve to 4-0 in the Trans-Valley League.

Justin Brito added a 38, Zack Angel a 40, Nico Ilardi a 41 and Seth Whitely a 43. Mountain House, which did not have a complete team, was paced by Sehaj Cheema’s 45.

The Indians are off next week with spring break and return to action in the TVL Mid-Year Tournament at Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course on April 3. 

Freshman baseball

East Union 4, Central Catholic 3

The Lancers scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to open VOL play with a victory Thursday.

Scotty Armstrong was the winning pitcher, striking out two in the final 1 1/3 innings. He also went 2 for 4 with two runs and a double at the plate.

Logan Harries went 2 for 3 with a run. Austin Scott had three RBIs and hit 2 for 4.