Manteca answered Oakdale’s go-ahead rally in the sixth inning with one of its own in the bottom half on Thursday, holding on for a 7-6 Valley Oak League win.
The Buffaloes (9-7, 9-8 overall) avenged an 11-0 loss while knocking Oakdale (12-4, 13-5) out of first place, leaving East Union alone at the top by a game going into the final week.
The visiting Mustangs trailed 4-0 after two innings but scored six unanswered runs for the lead, including four in the top of the sixth. Manteca answered with three to recapture the advantage, and sophomore reliever Alex Murrieta held on for the win.
Murrieta replaced staff ace Zach Todd (five hits, six runs, five walks, eight strikeouts) in the sixth and got the final four outs of the game, allowing just one base runner via base hit.
Murietta also delivered offensively, going 2 for 3 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Dylan DePrater finished 2 for 2 with three runs and an RBI.
Ripon Christian 16, Escalon 8
The Knights (8-8 VOL, 9-8 overall) opened the contest with a five-run rally and held the lead from there.
Freshman Grant Sonke led the assault with three doubles, finishing 4 for 4 with three runs and an RBI. Micah English, a sophomore, pounded a homer, scored twice and drove in four runs. Eli Terpsma went 3 for 4 with three runs. Joseph DeBruyn and Ethan Reif added two hits apiece.
Winning pitcher Dustin Hoekstra fired six strikeouts over five innings. Caleb Terpsma pitched the final two.
BOYS HOOPS
Ripon 67, Escalon 51
The Indians (4-3 VOL, 5-3 overall) overcame a slow start and dominated the second half to come away with a road win over their traditional Trans-Valley League rival.
Ripon stretched a five-point halftime lead to 20 at one point in the third quarter, getting boost from reserve guard Austin Bonilla who scored all seven of his points in the period.
Malik Taylor led the way with 18 points and six rebounds. Bronson Burrow racked up 11 points and seven rebounds despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter. Logan Gillespie added nine points and nine boards, and Nolan Young scored eight points.
“Credit to Escalon, they really gave it to us early in the first quarter and came to play,” Ripon coach Justin Graham said. “The story for us was the third quarter. We had good possessions on offense, good ball movement, made extra passes that led to great shots, and we had timely steals and rebounds. It was collectively a good game for us.”
Ripon hosts the rematch and season finale for both teams tonight.
Sierra 60, Kimball 51
Arvin Chohan burned the host Jaguars for 32 points, and Sierra (3-6 VOL) scored 22 in the fourth quarter to run away with the victory.
Ryan Borgeson added 14 points to the attack. Coach Eddie Morales gave a nod to Christian Threadgill, David Cumberworth and Diego Montes for their post defense in the second half.
“They did a good job on their big man down the stretch,” Morales said. “We just grinded this one out and it was a good team win. Excited to see them again tomorrow.”
Ripon Christian 68, East Union 61
Lukas Van Groningen torched the Lancers for seven 3-pointers, finishing with 23 points. Braden Van Groningen added 18 points and 16 rebounds.
The Knights improved to 6-3 in the VOL.
GIRLS HOOPS
Ripon 36, Escalon 33
The Indians overcame 17 points from Macie Vickers, holding on for the home win.
Kaylee Hutchinson anchored Ripon with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Kiley Holland contributed seven points, all in the second half.
BOYS SOCCER
Weston Ranch 8, Ripon 0
The Cougars (7-2-1 VOL) rolled to their third blowout win in six days, getting two goals from Angel Zapata.
Alex Cadis produced the highlight if the match, bombing one into the net from midfield. Ivan Guerra, Rogelio Garcia, Aaron Silva, Julian Hernandez and Abraham Palacios contributed one goal each. Assists came from Cesar Juarez, Armando Montes, Aaron Martinez and Hernandez.
Weston Ranch ends its season next week against rivals East Union and Sierra.
