Winners of eight straight to start the season, Manteca’s softball team has since dropped three in a row.

The latest setback came Wednesday, when powerhouse Oakdale blasted three homers on its way to a 5-1 Valley Oak League road win.

The Mustangs (3-0 VOL, 14-1 overall) totaled 11 hits and were led by Raegen Everett, who went 2 for 3 with a triple and a home run. Sophia Ortiz (2 for 4) and Delainey Everett also crushed solo bombs. Amanda Brickner drove in two runs.

Winning pitcher Delainey Everett struck out 13 in a one-hitter. Baylee Willenbrink ended the no-hit bid with a single in the bottom of the sixth. She was later driven in by Nayellys Torres.

The Buffaloes (0-2, 8-3) used three different pitchers. Torres threw the first five innings and struck out four, while surrendering three runs on six hits and two walks. Mohrgen Kissee and Grace Rosas followed.

East Union 10, Kimball 6

The host Lancers (2-1 VOL, 7-3 overall) trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

That’s when the momentum turned, as Layla Molina and Mackenzie Nervis (2 for 4, double, two runs, two RBIs) led off with back-to-back homers. Aubree Gann (2 for 4) later singled in Kylee Gann (2 for 3, two runs) to give East Union the lead.

Kimball (0-2, 6-4) rallied for three in the sixth inning to tie it, but EU answered with a four spot in the bottom half. Molina struck again in the sixth, bashing a two-run homer to finish 2 for 4.  

BOYS TENNIS

Central Catholic 7, Manteca 2

Manteca (4-1) took its first loss in VOL play.

The Buffaloes got their points at the top of the ladder, as Jonas Mueller knocked off Nolan Croasdale 6-2, 6-0, while Yok Chai Ma fended off Danny Barraza 6-1, 7-6 (2) at Nos. 1-2 singles.

Central Catholic took the rest in straight sets at Manteca Regional Tennis Center.

“It was a rough outing today,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “We just didn’t have it. They had more depth, and we didn’t come ready to play. I know we have a better performance in us, and I hope we can bring it the next time we play them.”

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Manteca 3, Central Catholic 0

The Buffaloes (2-0 VOL, 7-5 overall) took care of winless Central Catholic at Winter Gym, 25-12, 25-14, 25-12.

Camden Steckler headed the team with 14 kills, two blocks and two aces. Nick Grabowski contributed six kills and three blocks Micah Crawford also had six kills, while Jonathan Rojas netted 24 assists, two kills and five aces.