With its top player out to injury, the Manteca boys volleyball team came back to win at Sierra on Wednesday, 25-15, 22-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-9, to remain in range of Valley Oak League leader Mountain House.

Middle blocker Rob Hevener helped pick up the slack with 14 kills and 12 blocks. Logan Romriell also connected for 14 kills.

Dennen Loureiro, filling in for standout third-year outside hitter Jesus Gomez, contributed with seven kills and strung together multiple service runs.

Chandler Harris led the attack with 35 assists, and Drew Woodruff tallied 19 digs.

The Buffaloes (6-1 VOL, 16-4 overall) heads to Pleasant Grove for a non-league match on Monday, while Sierra (5-3, 10-6) takes on West on the road on Friday.

Livingston 3, Lathrop 1

Gabriel Fa’ali’i did all he could for the Spartans (5-3, 17-5 overall), but they could not overcome Western Athletic Conference leader Livingston (8-0, 24-6) in the 28-30, 13-25, 25-23, 20-25 home loss.

The senior outside hitter amassed 27 kills, three solo blocks and eight digs. Jayden White contributed eight kills and seven digs. Marc Llorin had five kills, five solo blocks and five digs. Jorge Reyes registered 43 assists and eight digs.

BASEBALL

East Union 5, Patterson 2

The Lancers (8-3, 15-5 overall) jumped out with as three-run rally in the first inning and added two more in the fourth before cruising to the VOL win. They’ll look to sweep the three-game series today at Agostini Field.

Pitcher Efren Diaz went the distance, giving up one earned run on five hits and a walk against four strikeouts.

Julian Ledesma led the offense with two RBIs, finishing 2 for 3 with a run. Brayden Camara (steal) and Kirk Simoni (2 for 4, steal, run, RBI) both went 2 for 4. Peyton Heath added a double and a run.

Patterson (0-11, 4-13) scored its runs in the fifth and seventh innings.

Turlock Christian 7, River Islands 3

In Turlock, the host Eagles (3-1, 9-3) responded well to their blowout loss from Monday at River Islands (3-1, 9-6). They’re back on even footing atop the Central California Athletic Conference.

The Riptide struck first with two runs in the top of the fourth inning, but Turlock Christian answered with seven unanswered.

Aahlad Bysani and Cash Orndoff each hammered an RBI double for River Islands, which was held to five hits.

Lathrop 19, Livingston 9 (6)

On Tuesday, the Wolves were in position to secure the Western Athletic Conference win, leading by four runs going into the bottom of the sixth.

That’s when Lathrop exploded for 14 runs

Vaughn Sanchez (two doubles, three steals, two runs, four RBIs) and Santino Arranaga (double, two runs, two RBIs) both went 3 for 5, and Ayden Louie finished 2 for 3 with three runs plated and three driven in.

Rueben Lopez ended up 2 for 4 with three runs and an RBI. Thomas Dominguez Olea added a double and two RBIs.

Livingston (1-6, 3-11) welcomes Lathrop today to end the two-game set.

SOFTBALL

Central Valley 11, Lathrop 1 (5)

Brookelyn Steeley and the rest of the visiting Hawks (5-0, 7-6 overall) were on their game for the WAC win at Lathrop (3-2, 7-4-1).

The Hawks’ junior pitcher allowed just four hits and an unearned run, striking out five. She was also one of four CV players with three hits. Gabriela Delatorre spearheaded Central Valley with five RBIs, finishing, 3 for 3 with two runs and a double.

Kendall Stewart went 2 for 2 for Lathrop and drove in Avaihna Calderon for its lone run.

JV boys volleyball

Manteca 2, Sierra 1

The Buffaloes were able to squeak out the 25-22, 18-25, 17-15 victory.

Kyle Acker and Hergunn Kang led the offense with 11 kills and 12 assists, respectively, while Ryan Mu anchored the defense with 12 digs.

Lathrop 2, Livingston 0

Steven Pughsley pounded 15 kills to highlight Lathrop’s 25-16, 25-22 sweep.

Christian Loyola pitched in seven kills. Hanz Castanares chimed in with seven digs, four assists and two aces. Jaime Leon handed out 21 assists.