The Sierra boys tennis team blanked visiting East Union 9-0 to remain in reach of the Valley Oak League lead.

The Timberwolves are now 5-1 (9-1 overall) with four matches to go.

Undefeated Brady Alves won the No. 1 singles match 6-0, 6-1 over Dominic Ochoa.

In other singles matches: No. 2 Ashton Hillard defeated Anthony Gollivar 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 David Martin III defeated Andrew Delgado 6-0, 6-3; No. 4 Hasnain Ali defeated Eli Rottia 6-0, 6-1; No. 5 Oliver Naven defeated Christian Jose 6-2, 6-0; No. 6 Santiago Franco defeated Jithan Joy, 6-1, 6-2.

In doubles, No. 1 Sid Gopendran and Sparsh Beedi shut out Curtis Hansen and Carl Azevedo, 6-0. 6-0. Ryan Alves and Zain Ali took the No. 2 doubles match 6-0, 6-1 against Auih Tran and Michael Castillo, 6-0, 6-1. The Timberwolves won No. 3 doubles by forfeiture.

SOFTBALL

Manteca 6, Linden 4

The Buffaloes (10-2) went on the road for the non-league tilt and picked up their eighth straight victory. They had a shutout brewing after six innings, but Linden (7-5) rallied for all of its runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Riley Ward got the pitching nod, finishing with four strikeouts and three hits in five innings. Bel Tonna threw the final two innings.

Ayva Wilkins powered the attack with three RBIs, going 3 for 4 with a double and a run. Maleiah Garza (two runs) and Jocelyn Baptist (double, run, RBI) both were 2 for 3.

Manteca blew it open with a five-run third inning.

The Buffs will next play Sierra Canyon from Southern California in the NorCal Classic in Tracy starting Thursday.

Lathrop 23, Johansen 1 (5)

A 14-run first inning got the host Spartans (4-1, 9-1 overall) rolling in the Western Athletic Conference contest. They needed just seven hits against winless Johansen but took advantage of 16 walks and eight hit batters.

“The team, as a whole, was very patient at the plate today,” Lathrop coach Stephanie Maestretti said. “We earned a total of 16 walks. It’s great to see that much discipline at the plate from this team. We capitalized on what Johansen gave us in the first inning and maintained our control throughout the game.”

Heiddy Camacho Quintero went 3 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs. Aubree Martinez scored three runs and drove in three others. Tianna Gonzzlez and Ariana Fuentes also plated three runs apiece, while Luz De Luna and Maci De Costa both had three RBIs. De Costa added a double in her 2-for-5 effort.

De Costa was the winning pitcher with eight strikeouts and one hit and a walk given up.

BASEBALL

Franklin 8, Lathrop 5

The Spartans (6-11) led 4-2 in the middle of the third inning of the non-league game in Stockton on Monday, but Franklin (10-4) jumped ahead for good with six unanswered runs.

Lathrop dropped its fifth straight.

Omare Cross led the Spartans’ offense with a triple, a run, an RBI and a steal. Anthony Gallardo added an RBI, a hit and two walks.

Lathrop used four pitchers who combined to give up six earned runs on six hits and four walks. Sophomore Ian Apalakis got the win for Franklin, striking out seven in 4 1/3 innings.

Ripon Christian 15, Waterford 0 (5)

The Knights (10-6) clobbered their Southern Athletic League rival in the 53rd Dick Windemuth Spring Classic. They’ll take on Johansen today, 1:45 p.m. at Modesto High.

Luke Crivello pitched the mercy-shortened two-hitter, striking out 11.

Josh Buffalow had a triple and four RBIs in his 3-for-3 effort. Kayden Anderson was 2 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs. Ripon Christian totaled 13 hits, drew five walks and was hit by three pitches.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Lathrop 3, Pacheco 0

The WAC-leading Spartans (9-0, 18-5 overall) had their way in the 25-10, 25-13, 25-7 sweep.

Gabriel Fa’ali’i paced them with 13 kills, two aces, three blocks and five digs. Marco Palomares produced 11 kills, three blocks and three digs. Peter Respicio added eight kills.

Setter Alexander Vere dished out 29 assists, and Charles Reyes had 15 digs, three assists and five aces.

JV softball

Lathrop 31, Johansen 16

Juliana Marquez led Lathrop, going 2 for 3 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Taylor Rios had a hit, three runs and three RBIs. Alina Ledezma plated four runs. Cerreny Perez scored four and drove in two. Sophia Pena chipped in two runs and two RBIs.

JV boys volleyball

Lathrop 2, Pacheco 0

Lathrop cruised to the 25-16, 25-19 victory.

Elias Medel led the attack with eight kills and two aces. Diego Alvarez added four kills and two aces. Mario Luna contributed 17 assists and three aces. Josh Ramirez racked up 10 digs and four aces.