Coming off a string of three straight non-league victories, Manteca's softball team continued to show its early-season improvement on Wednesday despite falling to visiting Escalon, 2-1.

Escalon of the Trans-Valley League is competing in the Valley Oak League this season and is the reigning Sac-Joaquin Section Division V champion. The Cougars (3-0 VOL, 6-0 overall) scratched across the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth to escape victorious. 

Manteca (3-5) remains winless through four league games but have reason for optimism with its latest effort.

“Great game to watch, as both teams competed their hearets out and played a good, clean game,” Manteca coach Josh Farris said. “Our coaches are extremely proud of how the girls are growing as a team and trying to improve as a unit every day.”

Mohrgen Kissee hit 3 for 4 to lead the Manteca offense and also pitched three innings, giving up a run on two hits. Nayellys Torres pitched five innings and struck out five while scattering six hits. Madisyn Bridewell drove in the Buffaloes' lone run in the second inning, giving them an early lead. 

BOYS SOCCER

East Union 7, Mountain House 2

Fabrizio Herrera Garrido and Miguel Martin connected on three occasion, with the former being on the finishing end of two goal-scoring sequences. Herrera Garrido also finished with two assists. 

Cristian Perez had the goal of the night in the 17th minute, a 35-yard banger on a free kick. He also assisted Samuel Diaz in the 68th. Anthony Sy struck in the 79th minute, and a minute later Corwin Snyder knocked in the final score with a header off Kole Kalin's corner kick.

BOYS GOLF

Oakdale 224, Manteca 309

Karson Condit paced the host Buffaloes with a 55 at Manteca Park Golf Course. Connor DePrater added a 59 and Reese George a 60.

Arizona-bound Ryan Meyer carded a 1-over 37 for Oakdale, while Carson Middaugh chipped in a 41. 

Lathrop vs. Beyer, n

Lathrop's Salvador Reyes finished as low medalist with a 43 Tuesday at Creekside Golf Course in Modesto. Both teams forfeited because they lacked participants to field teams.

Beyer's Gisselle Hinchey was runner-up with a 48. John Wall Jr. of Lathrop turned in a 49. 

JV SOFTBALL

Oakdale 17, East Union 8

East Union took its first loss of the season Tuesday. The host Mustangs broke it open with an eight-run first inning and didn't look back.

For the Lancers, Kimberly Wlodarcyk clubbed a two-run double, Marissa Harper went 2 for 3 with a double and Ariel Mejia plated a pair of runs. 

East Union 12, Ripon 1 (6)

The Lancers (5-1) bounced back Wednesday, rallying for eight runs in the top of the sixth. 

Lizabeth Johnson highlighted the attack with a double, homer and four RBIs while finishing 2 for 3. Morgan Geske contributed a two-run single. Hailey Reich had a double and two RBIs.

Oakdale 12, Ripon Christian 2 (6)

The visiting Knights (1-3) succumbed to a 15-hit salvo from Oakdale, which ended it early with six runs in the bottom of the sixth. 

Taylor Postma drove in one of Ripon Christian's runs with an RBI double. Tara Heida knocked in the other. Shleby Terra went 2 for 3 and also hit a double. The Knights were held to five hits and struck out nine times. 

JV BOYS SOCCER

East Union 3, Mountain House 0

Adrian Vivanco opened scoring in the fourth minute, and Juan Padilla doubled the lead in the 16th thanks to a feed from Ethan Mamorno.

Jose Maestas put it away in the 54th, beating two defenders in the penalty box for a shot. 

Defenders Orian Germann and Sobhan Azizpor helped goalie Antonio Zavala keep the sheet clean.