Jon Manrique will have one last chance to coach three of his former players this Friday in the 26th Annual High School All-Star Baseball/Softball Classic.
Fresh off the program’s best season since 2001, Ripon’s third-year head coach will be joined by his staff in leading the South team that includes Indians standouts Angelo Baciocco, Nick Price and Travis Waara.
The majority of the South is made up of Manteca-area athletes, while the North is mostly comprised of players from Stockton and Lodi. The event begins 4:45 p.m. with opening ceremonies for baseball Nick Cecchetti Field before the softball all-stars get going at nearby Bucky Layland Softball Complex.
Baciocco, Price and Warra — Ripon’s starting catcher, third baseman and shortstop, respectively — helped lead the Indians to a 24-5 record and their first Trans-Valley League championship in 15 years. They lost to Linden in the third of three Sac-Joaquin Section Division V semifinal games. Price is a four-time All-TVL selection.
Joining them is Valley Oak League MVP Marco Gonzales, a pitcher/third baseman heading to Menlo College. He led East Union to its first postseason berth since 2011.
Sierra and Lathrop each have three players on the South team. Representing Sierra are shortstop Tanner Peterson, second baseman Steven Rios and first baseman/pitcher Anthony Arredondo. Lathrop’s all-stars are infielder/pitcher Keenen Donatelli-Bryant, pitcher/infielder Santiago Cantun and infielder Albert Flores.
Weston Ranch has two all-stars in Simpson-bound center fielder Josh Dilg and infielder/pitcher Jordan Severin after its winningest season in program history.
Southern League champion Ripon Christian is sending pitcher/outfielder Connor McGovern and outfielder Michael Cummins. The Knights reached the SJS finals for the first time in school history.
Humboldt State-bound outfielder Taylor Jaquez and outfielder Karla Calderon from Ripon’s SJS Division V champion softball team are among the four area all-stars on the South team. East Union catcher Alejandra Rascon and Weston Ranch shortstop Elysia Hernandez will join forces for the first time. They’ll be teammates at Cal State Northridge.
Manteca High will not have anyone in the event. The Buffaloes’ baseball team claimed a second section title in the last three years.
Advance ticket sales are available through local high school and baseball programs. Admission at the gate is $5 per person and free for children 8 and under. Proceeds of the game will benefit participating high schools, Recreational Sports Club of San Joaquin and United Way of San Joaquin County.
