Luck was not on East Union's side Thursday in its 3-2 loss at Kimball, which held on to complete a series sweep of the Lancers and extend its lead from atop the Valley Oak League baseball standings.
The difference was a throwing error that allowed Tio Villalobos to score from third in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Jaguars (6-0 VOL, 6-2 overall) earlier tied it at 2-2 on No. 9 hitter Dylan Vanderhave's two-run, bloop single in the second. All three of Kimball's runs were unearned.
East Union (4-2, 5-2) was able to square up the ball throughout the contest but could only manage three hits.
“There were about nine outs that were rockets right at them,” East Union coach Carlos Herrera said. “If we had a few that were three feet to the left or right we're talking about six or seven runs. It was just that type of day.”
The Lancers did all of their damage in the top of the second. Mateo Guevara led off with a single and later scored on a passed ball. Willie Segura drew a bases-loaded walk for the other run.
East Union threatened to tie it in the seventh inning but was thwarted by the Kimball defense. Evan Jeffery led off with a walk and was replaced on the bases by Ashton Heath. JP Perazzo was robbed of a looping single by the left fielder, who then forced out Heath at first for the double play. Willie Segura gave EU hope with a two-out single, but the Jaguars got out of it with a grounder to the pitcher.
Heath (two IP, L) and Jeffery (four IP, four Ks) pitched for the Lancers. Despite the loss, Herrera liked how his club bounced back from the 12-0 drubbing it took from Kimball on Tuesday.
“I honestly don't know who that team was on Tuesday,” Herrera said. “On Wednesday, we worked on having better pitch selection and came out today and hit, we just had some loud outs. They were able to catch the breaks and we weren't.”
East Union starts its two-game set with rival Manteca next Tuesday.
GIRLS SOCCER
Manteca 12, Lathrop 1
The Buffaloes (4-0) had their season-starting shutout streak end when visiting Lathrop converted a penalty kick on Thursday, but the win was already well in hand.
Isabella Avila spearheaded the onslaught with three goals and an assist. Caitlynn Wong scored twice.
Cameron Silva, Jordyn Silva, Corrine Jones, Emily Murphy, Jenna Poncini, Tatiana Orozco and Isabella Pires contributed one goal apiece. Kaylee Gines, Sienna Jones and Olivilla Castillo each had an assist.
