Manteca’s baseball team started Valley Oak League play Monday with a 6-4 loss at Oakdale, surrendering five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Buffaloes (0-1, 10-2-1 overall) were ahead 3-0 after 4 ½ innings and were ultimately done in by errors.

Nate Slikker pitched 5 2/3 innings, striking out five against two walks. The freshman scattered five hits, and three of the six runs given up were earned.

Manteca wasted Rex Watson’s productive outing, as he went 3 for 3 with three doubles and two runs.

Landon Schulte rung up eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for Oakdale (3-1, 11-2). He also went 2 for 3 with a run on offense. Glen Weber contributed two sacrifice flies.

The best-of-three series continues Wednesday at Manteca.

Beyer 10, Lathrop 9

In Modesto, Beyer (2-2, 4-6 overall) rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and secured the Western Athletic Conference victory when Alex Arthur singled in the go-ahead run.

Lathrop (1-4, 6-8) struggled defensively, finishing with six errors. Pitcher Adrian Zuniga threw all 6 2/3 innings, and only three of the 10 runs he gave up were earned. He also led the Spartans offensively, going 2 for 4 with two runs. Omare Cross drove in a pair of runs, and Anthony Gallardo plated three. Paul Cruz chipped in two hits.

Ripon Christian 13, Orestimba 4

The Knights (4-1, 7-5 overall) trailed the Southern Athletic League game 3-1 after two innings but took over from there.

Grant Sonke anchored the relentless attack with four RBIs, finishing 2 for 4 with a double. Freshman Noah DeBruyn went 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Josh Buffalow went 2 for 4 with two doubles. Dustin Hoekstra contributed two runs scored, two driven in and three steals.

Luke Crivello pitched four innings, finishing with six strikeouts while giving up three runs on two hits and four walks. Logan Sauer (two innings) and Jordan Luisi (inning) took it from there.

SOFTBALL

Manteca 4, Tokay 1

Sophomore hurler Isabel Tonna tallied nine strikeouts and gave up two walks in her three-hit gem at home.

The Buffaloes (8-2) scored all of their runs in the first two innings. Na’ima Calderon went 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI, and Ayva Wilkins had a triple.

“Really proud of how Bel threw today,” Manteca coach Josh Farris said. “She picked us up when our offense wasn’t at its best.”

Manteca returns to VOL play Thursday when they welcome defending champion Central Catholic.

BOYS GOLF

Ripon Christian 183, Waterford 259

Trey Van Groningen finished 1-over-par 32 at Jack Tone Golf Course, and the Knights improved to 2-0 in the SAL.

Matthew Ubick carded a 36, and Ethan Schenk added a 37. Ben Miller and Jack Dooley each scored a 39.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Ripon 3, Downey 1

In Modesto, the Indians (11-5) came away with the 25.23, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18 non-league win.

Alex Alvarellos hammered 18 kills, while Trent Olmo and Jesse Ochoa chipped in six and five, respectively. Tony Gomez also had six kills to go with 15 assists. Martin Raygoza pitched in 15 assists of his own.