Addyson Wilmshurst knocked in Ava Brocchini with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning, as Ripon’s softball team edged Escalon 3-2 to remain unbeaten in the Trans-Valley League.

The upset-minded Cougars (2-2 TVL, 5-11 overall) took two leads when they scored in the third and sixth innings. Ripon (4-0, 10-4) was able to respond quickly thanks to Alana Herandez, who came through with an RBI double and a solo homer.

Brocchini finished 2 for 3, and winning pitcher Kharime Caratachea went 2 for 4.

Caratachea pitched all nine innings, striking out 13 while walking three in the extra-inning four-hitter. Madison Babasa gave up nine hits and five walks with four strikeouts for Escalon. She was also 2 for 4 with a run scored offensively.

BASEBALL

Lathrop 6, Johansen 0

Adrian Zuniga was lights out from the pitcher’s mound for the host Spartans (3-6 Western Athletic Conference, 8-12 overall), amassing 10 strikeouts in the two-hit shutout. He also chipped in offensively, going 2 for 3 with a run.

Mathew Rankin aided the attack with an RBI double. Omare Cross stole two bases, drove in a run and plated another. Ezra Alvarado scored twice.

Central Catholic 3, East Union 2

The Lancers (4-6 Valley Oak League, 12-9 overall) were three outs away from a shutout win at Agostini Field, but Clemson-bound standout T.P. Wentworth and Central Catholic (5-3, 11-6) had other plans.

The Ripon resident rocked a three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning, and closing pitcher Joe Salacup locked up the victory for the Raiders in the bottom half.

East Union’s Blake Mount took the loss but otherwise stellar, giving up eight hits and three walks while striking out eight. He even spearheaded the offense, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Joe Alvarez went 2 for 3.

Ripon Christian 4, Gustine 3

The Knights (8-1, 14-7 overall) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, added the needed insurance run in the sixth and held on to prevail in the Southern Athletic League first-place battle.

Grant Sonke accounted for three of Ripon Christian’s four hits, finishign 3 for 4 with a run and three stolen bases. Dustin Hoekstra and David Koolhaas each knocked in a run.

Pitcher Luke Crivello went the distance, striking out four against four hits and two walks.

Gustine (7-2, 11-9) hosts the rematch on Friday.