LATHROP — Sierra is still very much in the hunt for a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth.

The Timberwolves downed Lathrop 12-2 in five innings Thursday to even their Valley Oak League record to 6-6 with two games to go. Four teams qualify for the SJS Division III playoffs, with East Union currently in fourth at 6-5. The Lancers host Weston Ranch today if Mother Nature cooperates.

Starting pitcher Anthony Arredondo coasted through four innings before running into trouble in the bottom of the fifth when the Spartans (1-11 VOL, 4-14-1 overall) plated both of their runs after Diego Chavez (hit by pitch), Santiago Kantun  (walked) and Albert Flores (walked) reached. Chavez scored on a passed ball, and Estevan Salazar knocked in Flores with a hit. 

Reliever Derek Rosendin induced a 1-3 groundout to end the game. Arredondo scattered just three hits, including a leadoff double to Flores (2 for 2) to start the fourth, over 4 2/3 innings. 

Arredondo helped himself by plating three runs on offense while finishing 2 for 3. The Timberwolves (12-9 overall) tallied four runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to bust it open.

Jacob Peterson went 3 for 4 with three RBIs from the leadoff spot. He drove in Sierra’s final two runs in the fifth with a two-run single. Steven Rios knocked in three runs and went 2 for 3 with a triple and three runs. Nick Oseguera was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

Sierra begins its final regular-season series with Weston Ranch next Monday at home.