Manteca’s boys tennis team showed little rust in its Valley Oak League opener Wednesday against visiting Sierra, pulling away for a 7-2 victory.
Led by VOL Singles Tournament finalists Solman Aniss and Kurtis Ma, the Buffaloes are eyeing a return to return to the Sac-Joaquin Section team playoffs after narrowly missing out for the first time since 2006. Their first league match was scheduled for Tuesday but rained out. The weather has limited practices for area teams.
“It was a great opening match of the season,” 14th-year Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “Without many matches to play it was just great to get out there and get a win against a cross-town rival.”
Aniss rolled from the No. 1 spot, dispatching Quentin Banks, 6-1, 6-0. Ma also swept 6-2, 6-1 against Fabian Barba. Nick Pio needed a third set to defeat Jason Machado, 6-0, 4-6, 6-0. Hawshawn Singh (6-1, 6-1) and Kayson Neduvakkattu (6-2, 6-2) helped clinch the win with victories at the No. 4 and 5 singles spots.
Sierra won at No. 6 singles with David Martin beating Julian Gosal, 7-5, 6-1. The Timberwolves (1-1) also took the No. 3 doubles match, as Aaron Crawford and Juan Ponce held off Spencer Ogden and Jordan Navales, 6-4, 6-4.
Manteca’s No. 1 team of Kevin Lin and Ryan Foo swept Milton Yamomo and Ben Perez, 6-1, 6-2. Ravpreet Grewal and Kiersten Melan came back to knock off David Vera and Justin Lacdao, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.
Manteca is scheduled to host Weston Ranch today while Sierra is set to face Central Catholic on the road.
6.

BASEBALL
East Union 10, Chavez 5
The Lancers (3-1) used a four-run burst in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 7-5 lead.
Evan Heath pitched four scoreless — and hitless — innings in relief for the win. Daniel Ruiz powered the attack with three runs and two RBIs while hitting 3 for 4. Andrew Morones finished 2 for 3 with a double.
East Union’s junior varsity club blew out Chavez, 20-0.

GOLF
Ceres 496, Lathrop 549
Lathrop opened the Western Athletic Conference season Wednesday at Manteca Park Golf Course.
The Spartans were not able to overcome the visiting Bulldogs and their top player Gary Condit, who carded a 4-over 76.
Luke Marcello led Lathrop with an 87, good for second place. Sebastian Iniquez (109), Andrew Lam (112), John Wall Jr. (120) and David Araya-Ruiz (121) also scored for the Spartans.