Katie Thomas played the role of hero, connecting for a three-run home run in the seventh inning to lead Ripon Christian to an 8-7 win over Gustine High Wednesday.

Thomas finished off a perfect 5-for-5 day with six RBI and a double. Shelby Vrieling was 3-for-4 and Jenny Wickham was 2-for-4 to lead a 14-hit Ripon Christian (4-1) attack.

Jessica Myers handled the pitching for the Knights.

Ripon Christian held a 4-1 lead after two innings, but forfeited that lead when Gustine exploded for a four-run sixth inning.

Golf

Sonora 216, Manteca 228

The Manteca High golf team put together arguably its best round, but the Buffaloes were still a dozen shots off the pace in a 216-228 Valley Oak League loss to Sonora Wednesday.

Manteca (3-1, 4-2 overall) was able to post a respectable score on the challenging Manteca Golf Course front nine, yet even with each player within 12 strokes of a par-round the Buffaloes could not close the gap.

Kyle Howard led Manteca with a 43, Davey Tolbert shot a 45 and both Kody Morris and Brandon Ramirez turned in 46s. Justin Morrish helped the Buffaloes with a round of 48 and Tim Baker rounded out the scorecard with a 49.

The Buffaloes will need another solid team effort when they continue VOL action against the undefeated Oakdale Mustangs at 3 p.m.

Oakdale 195, Weston Ranch 298

The Cougars weren’t able to stay close to the VOL leading Oakdale Mustangs, falling to the squad 195-298 Wednesday.

Felix Buenrostro and Daron Carrillo led the Cougars with 56s, while Armando Quintero followed him with a round of 60. Bruce Chester shot a 61.

Southern League

Ripon Christian 228, Hilmar 231

The Knights were led by Kyle Colyn’s 42 in a three-stroke win over Hilmar Wednesday.

Andrew Manes shot a 44 and Danny Vos turned in a 46 for the Knights. Brandon Dotinga and Christian Manes rounded out the Knights’ scorecard with 48s.

Hilmar’s Jesminder Singh had medalist honors with a 41.

Tennis

Ripon Christian 9, Gustine 0

The Knights had little trouble against Gustine, winning every match on their way to a Southern League victory Wednesday.

Darren Boersma (6-2, 6-2), Mason Veilleux (6-2, 6-0), Kristi VanDiver (6-0, 6-1) and Haley Veilleux (6-0, 6-1) all won in straight sets.

Kyle VanVuren and Kendall Witt teamed up for a doubles victory, as did Casey Kamper and Zach Davis and Clara Lien and Mariah Alger.