Ripon Christian’s boys golf team avenged its lone loss off the season on Tuesday, holding off reigning Valley Oak League champion Oakdale 221-224 at Spring Creek Golf & Country Club.

The pandemic-shortened season has forced the Knights to play against the much larger schools of the VOL for just this season and they are more than holding their own. Ripon Christian claimed the Southern Athletic League and Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI titles in 2019. Oakdale and the rest of the VOL compete in Division III.

“Ever since we found out that we would be competing in the VOL this year, Oakdale was definitely a matchup we circled,” RC coach Christian Manes said. “After a tight loss to them early on in the year we were looking forward to meeting them again. It was a grind for our guys today, but glad they battled to the end to pull out the win.”

The dual match also pitted two of the top individuals in the league. Arizona signee Ryan Meyer finished even-par 36 for Oakdale, topping Ripon Christian standout Camdan Indelicato by three strokes. 

Dylan Koolhaas and Wyatt Hayes helped make up those strokes for the Knights, carding a 42 and 43, respectively. Cade Van Groningen contributed a 47, and Nick Te Velde scored a 50. 

Conor McCluney and Grant Weber added 46s for the Mustangs

BASEBALL

Sierra 8, Weston Ranch 2

Coming off a surprising sweep of Ripon Christian, the Cougars (3-10) looked to keep it rolling at home Tuesday when they jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning.

“I don’t’ know if we got lackadaisical, but we did not play with the same fire, energy or focus that we did last week,” Weston Ranch coach David Hager said. “Give credit to Sierra, that’s a great ball club that took advantage of our mistakes.”

Tyler Looney righted the ship from there for Sierra (7-6), pitching 4 2/3 innings while firing seven strikeouts as the offense eventually got untracked. The Timberwolves broke it open with a five-run seventh.

Zach Fonseca got the save, pitching 2 1/3 perfect innings in relief in the combined three-hitter. Zion Bell (2 for 3, double, triple, steal), Jeremy Dalen (2 for 4, double, two RBIs) and Angel Valdez (two-out RBI double) highlighted the attack.

“Our hitters did a great job with their approach and focused on driving the ball to the middle of the field,” Sierra coach Travis Thomson said, giving Cougars pitcher Dustin Tinsley kudos. “We are good when we can stick to that plan.”

East Union 10, Ripon Christian 5

The Lancers (8-3 VOL, 9-3 overall) led 7-0 after two innings and held on from there at Agostini Field.

Anthony Flores went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Ashton Heath also drove in a pair of runs and scored twice. Austin Orr finished 2 for 4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs. Benny Slaughter was the winning pitcher after striking out five in 3 2/3 relief innings.

Ripon Christian (6-7, 7-7) answered EU’s early barrage with a four-run third. Caleb Terpsma was 2 for 4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs.

Central Catholic 14, Manteca 10

Host Central Catholic (9-4, 10-5) set the tone with a seven-run outburst in the first inning. The Buffaloes (8-5, 8-6) rallied for eight of their runs in the final three innings.

Manteca’s Zach Todd bashed a pair of homers, finishing 2 for 3 with four RBIs. Alex Murrietta legged out a triple and drove in two runs. Andrew Maki added a double, and Lucas Krenz walked three times.

Oakdale 2, East Union 1

Reigning NorCal Division II champion East Union (5-1 VOL, 7-1 overall) was dealt its first loss of the season.

All goals were scored in the second half, with the visiting Mustangs (5-1-1) netting theirs a minute apart. Kevin Camelin put away both, which were assisted by Kaleb McDonald.