WOODLAND — Freshman Jadyn Shinn proved herself to be more than ready for the varsity level in the Cal Spring Classic last Friday and Saturday.
She helped Sierra win the tournament championship in the most competitive group, netting five goals over four matches. Fellow freshman Yasmin Ballew scored twice.
“It was a great start (to the season) for her,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said of Shinn. “We have four freshmen who all played outstanding. It’s been a while since I’ve had freshmen come in and make an impact like that.”
The Timberwolves started the event with a dominant 3-0 win over Benicia and battled Whitney to a 1-1 draw. On Saturday, they blanked Roseville 2-0, and the head-to-head result ended up deciding the champion. Sierra finished with a 1-1 tie against Christian Brothers but needed a second-half equalizer from Shinn.
Minty Doyle added a goal and an assist in the tournament. Goalie Emma Broderick totaled 48 saves.
“Defensively we played outstanding against very tough teams,” Pires said. “Our whole team played great defense, but it obviously starts with the back line.”
Manteca 8, Linden 0
The Buffaloes (2-0) tallied their second straight 8-0 rout to start the season in their home opener Monday.
Jocelyn Reyes, Leah Manuleleua and Kaitlynn Funsch scored two goals apiece. Both of Reyes’ goals were assisted by Manuleleua. Lejla Pepic and Carly Morrish capped the barrage with the final two goals. Natalia Duran contributed a pair of assists, and Alexa Mayen had one.
BASEBALL
Manteca 10, Argonaut 0
JACKSON — Tyler Graves-Kelso struck out 12 in 5 1/3 innings, and Devin Sullivan pitched in relief to complete the combined-one hitter.
Manteca (1-1) rallied for five runs in the fifth inning to break it open and eventually end it after six innings. Kyle Rachels hit a home run and had three RBIs. Brett Kovacs was 2 for 4.
“Tyler Graves-Kelso was as good as I’ve ever seen him today,” Manteca coach Neil MacDannald said. “If he can have that kind of command, he will be tough to beat. Argonaut is a really good team with good hitters that are three- and four-year varsity starters, and he kept them off balance really well. We also played better defense behind him.”
Weston Ranch 7, Chavez 3
STOCKTON — Freshman Amier Bowen pitched five innings and gave up three runs in his first varsity outing and also contributed an RBI on offense.
Jordan Severin (two RBIs) and Cuyler Reynolds (RBI) each hit a double for the undefeated Cougars (4-0).
“I’m very proud of Amier,” Weston Ranch coach David Hager said. “He showed toughness and a willingness to compete.”
SOFTBALL
Ceres 3, Manteca 1
CERES — Tawny Deerinck drove in Haighley Kissee and the tying run with a double in the top of the fourth inning, but Ceres (1-0) recaptured the lead with two in the bottom of the fifth.
Deerinck’s hit was all Manteca (1-1) could muster, as it was otherwise shut down by Callie Nunes in an impressive 17-strikeout, one-hit gem. Kissee pitched six innings for the Buffaloes and struck out seven.
Mahlena O’Neal was 3 for 4 for the Bulldogs, who totaled 11 hits.
Ripon 11, Central Catholic 0
RIPON — The Indians scored all of their runs in the first three innings in their season opener.
Sacramento State-bound Danielle Sperry (four innings, seven strikeouts) and sophomore Lillian Dillard combined to pitch a no-hitter. Felicia Ceja hammered a pair of homers and drove in five runs in the onslaught.
Mikaela Ferreira was 2 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs, freshman Sydney Vernon was 2 for 2 with a double and Hoku Lee was 2 for 2 with two runs scored.
TENNIS
Gregori 5, Manteca 4
The host Buffaloes lost a tough nonleague match against a contender of the Modesto Metro Conference.
Manteca got hard-earned wins from No. 2 singles Kyle Thornburg (6-2, 7-6 [4]), No. 5 Lenard Gutierrez (4-6, 6-4, 6-2), No. 6 Matt Pabla (6-0, 7-6 [7]) and No. 1 doubles Dhillon Patel and Kurtis Ma (1-6, 6-1, 6-0).
Manteca lost two three-set matches at No. 3 and 4 singles.
“We need to play more matches like this to be ready for the top teams in (Valley Oak) league,” Manteca coach Frank Fontana said. “They should easily win the MMC. We want to play the best and that’s why I schedule teams like this.
“Today, Lenard stepped up and beat a very solid player, and Kyle and Matt put in workmen like performances. We know doubles is a work in progress and I think we are taking the right steps.”
