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PITCHER PERFECT
Manteca sophomore throws perfect game against Weston Ranch
WRHSMHS1-3-29-12
Manteca High sophomore Jake Corn delivers the final pitch of his perfect game Wednesday against the Weston Ranch Cougars. - photo by HIME ROMERO

Jake Corn was perfect for the Manteca Buffaloes Wednesday against Weston Ranch.

Literally.

Corn was nothing short of brilliant in the two clubs’ Valley Oak League contest, tossing a five-inning perfect game in a 13-0 win over the visiting Cougars. He also finished with 12 strikeouts.

The Buffaloes (1-0, 6-3 overall) watched Corn strike out the side in the first and promptly gift-wrapped the sophomore hurler a 10 spot, giving the Cougars no chance against a locked-in Corn.

“Corn did what he is supposed to do and is expected to do,” Manteca head coach Gene Ballardo said. “He has been working his butt off in the bullpen and today it showed how hard he’s been working.

“We’re happy with the way he’s been pitching and especially the way he pitched today.”

Manteca batted through the lineup before making an out, sending 15 batters to the plate in the 10-run first. A walk and error would lead to two more Buffalo runs in the second and Manteca would tack on the final run in the bottom of the third.

Weston Ranch could get nothing going against Corn, getting their first six hitters sent back to the dugout with strikeouts. Only three Cougars would put the ball in play, flying out to right, popping out to first base and grounding out to second.

“It’s real easy,” Weston Ranch head coach Ron Wayman said. “Manteca came out in that first inning and they were hitting everything. We came out flat and you can’t do that in the VOL, and especially against a team like Manteca.

“You have to give credit to their pitcher; he threw a perfect game.”

The Buffaloes could not have had a more perfect offensive display in their first at bat. Collecting back-to-back doubles from leadoff hitter Buddy Reeder and freshman Dominic Pisano n (2-for-2, 2 runs). Daniel Miramontes would follow them with an RBI double and the breakout was in motion. Manteca would plate eight runs before they recorded its first out.

“In the VOL every win is important,” Ballardo said. “No matter who you are playing any team can beat you. And that is how we look at it and approach things. Whoever is out there we are going to go at them 100 percent.”

The Buffaloes will try and make it two straight when they meet back up with the Cougars Friday in Stockton.