MODESTO — Jason Silva and the Sierra baseball team withstood a last-inning rally from host Central Catholic on Wednesday, winning the Valley Oak League opener, 5-3.
The Timberwolves (1-0, 9-3-1 overall) provided their ace with some timely hits, perhaps none bigger than Louis Aquila’s two-out, two-run line drive single to right center field that plated Matt Dunham and Jesse Ortiz-Martinez in the top of the sixth. The insurance runs proved to be the difference.
“It was a great start to our regular season,” Sierra coach Travis Thomson said. “Central Catholic is a good baseball team and it takes an all-around good game to beat them. Jason Silva brought his ‘A’ game today and we were able to score some runs behind him with clutch hitting.”
Silva was an out away from a complete game, finishing with nine strikeouts and two runs scored against. Jason Frisk finished it off from the mound.
“He pitched a great game today,” Thomson said of Silva. “He threw three pitches for strikes and gave us a chance to win the game. Especially impressed with how he pitched with a lead today. A one- or two-run lead against a team like Central is not safe. Jason kept his composure and battled through some tough innings.”
Aquila started his productive outing at the plate with an RBI single in the first. Dunham, who finished 2 for 3, led off the game with a hit. Aquila ended up 2 for 4, as did Julian Cantu. Tyler Kiser contributed a double.
Sierra added one more run in the second and totaled three in the sixth inning, extending the lead to 5-0.
Dylan Babbitt ignited the late comeback attempt for Central Catholic (1-2, 4-5) in the sixth with a double that scored Omar Leon, who crushed a two-run homer in the final frame.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Manteca 3, Kimball 0
TRACY — The Buffaloes (1-1 VOL, 3-3 overall) evened their record with the 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 sweep.
Rovick Hombrebueno anchored the attack with 24 assists. Jeremy Gabriel paced the front row with five kills and three blocks. Steven Aguilar and Adrian Gonzales had 13 digs apiece.

GOLF
Ripon Christian 215, Orestimba 307
PATTERSON — The Knights overcame strong gusts at the hilly Diablo Grande course to improve to 3-0 in the Southern Athletic League.
The top three scores belonged to Ripon Christian, with low-medalist Danton Indelicato leading the way with an even 36. Camdan Indelicato and Darin Doek added a 39 and 43, respectively. Alex Berghorst finished with a 48, and Alex Sonke a 49.