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ROUNDUP: Ripon Christian drops coed tennis semifinal to Bret Harte
Bret Harte-Ripon Christian coed tennis
Tatum Sonke keeps her eyes on the ball while charging the net during Ripon Christian’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinal against visiting Bret Harte. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/The Bulletin

Ripon Christian’s coed tennis team had its championship defense halted on Thursday, falling to fourth-seeded Bret Harte in a 5-4 semifinal heartbreaker.

The Bullfrogs (11-3) will face the winner of the Colfax-Summerville contest in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Team Tennis championship next Thursday, May 14 at Oak Park Tennis Complex in Stockton.

For No. 1 Ripon Christian (13-3), it came down to three doubles matches that went to third sets.

Bret Harte won them all.

In the end, the Bullfrogs’ mixed doubles team of Sofia Vargas and Tobias Siegler squeaked past Evan Pryor and Krista Koolhaas, 2-6, 6-4, 11-9.

Bret Harte came back from a set down to win both boys doubles matches, as well. Bullfrogs Josh Schuler and Blake Bowersox defeated Emmitt Van Laar and Braden Schaapman at No. 1 doubles, 4-6, 6-2, 10-5. Will Dietrich and Marcus Kelley dispatched Jack Schaapman and Micah Blackmon, 3-6, 6-2, 10-8.

Bret Harte’s other wins came from No. 1 boys singles Brayden Bowersox 6-3, 6-3 over Alton Mensonides, and the No. 2 girls doubles of Amaris Munoz and Emma Frazier against Natalie Thompson and Ella Pryor, 6-3, 6-4.

Derek Meester won the No. 2 boys singles match against Jonathan Carter, 6-1, 6-4. Tatum Sonke ground out a 6-4, 6-4 win over Lexie McDaniel at No.1 girls singles. Kora Harris claimed the No. 2 singles match against Sophia Arana, 6-1, 6-0.

Annika Jung and Natalie Mensonides combined to win the No. 1 girls match over Yarely Munoz and Ava Gilchrease, 6-4, 6-4.

SOFTBALL

Hilmar 1, Ripon 0

The host Yellowjackets (5-7, 16-9) won the TVL finale, scoring the lone run in the bottom of the first inning.

Ripon (8-4, 17-8) was limited to just four hits, two coming from Izabelle Spurzem including a double.

Clara Townsend took the loss despite a five-hit gem.

The SJS playoffs begin next week, and brackets will be released today.

Venture Academy 3, Ripon Christian 2

Austynn MacWilliams (RBI, two steals) and Natalie Beenes both went 3 for 4 for the Knights (2-8).

Annabelle Hoff did well to keep her team in it from the pitcher’s circle, striking out five.

Savannah Espinoza fired 12 strikeouts to league Venture Academy (11-6).