The junior pitching tandem of Isabel Tonna and Riley Ward combined for a two-hitter on Tuesday, while Ayva Wilkins drove in four runs in Manteca’s 9-1 season-opening softball win over visiting Ripon.
“Girls have been looking forward to getting the season started, and I think they came out ready to play,” Manteca coach Josh Farris said.
Tonna pitched the first five innings, striking out eight against one walk. Riley threw two hitless innings in relief, fanning two and walking one.
The Buffaloes surged to a 3-0 lead after three innings and broke it open with a five-run fifth. Wilkins went 2 for 4 at the plate, as did Jocelyn Baptist (run, RBI). Sienna Lowery plated three runs.
“Both pitchers pitched great, and I thought we had some really tough at-bats where our girls battled. The key to our offensive success this year is putting pressure on the defense, and I thought we did an excellent job of that today.”
Alana Hernandez (doubled) and Angelina Martinez got the hits for Ripon, which also struggled on defense with five errors. The Indians host Kimball today, weather permitting, and Ripon travels to Elk Grove next Tuesday, Feb. 18.
BOYS SOCCER
Manteca 3, Central Catholic 1
On their senior night Tuesday, Jesus Ayala and Ethan Mendoza led a second-half charge to lead the Buffaloes (2-8-2 Valley Oak League, 3-18-3 overall) to a season-ending victory.
Manteca scored all three of its goals in the second half, with Ayala and Mendoza each accounting for one. Jesus Gomez jump started the barrage with a long-distance shot in the 50th minute. Kevin Mundo contributed two assists, and senior goalkeeper Leo Garcia had three saves.
Central Catholic (0-11-1, 2-15-1) scored its lone goal in the first half.
Lathrop 1, Beyer 0
Lathrop (7-5-2, 10-8-4 overall) locked up the third automatic playoff berth in the Western Athletic Conference with the win at Woodward Park.
A pair of seniors combined for the deciding goal on senior night, as Angel Barajas put it away off a nice pass from Juan Diego Morales.
Goalie Julian Ceja had five saves. The Spartans are making their third straight postseason appearance.
BOYS BASKETBALL
River Islands 61 Hughes Academy 54
The Riptide (6-3, 15-12) picked up an important Central California Athletic Alliance victory over the second-place Titans (7-2, 11-12) that puts it in a good position to make its first-ever playoff appearance.
Charles Mapanao led the onslaught with 27 points, making five 3s and all four of his free-throw attempts. Idrees ElFarra scored all nine of his points at the free-throw line, finishing 9-for-12. Zachary Basurto was 6-of-6 from the stripe and totaled eight points. Darius Radoc Factoran keyed the win with tough defense.
River Islands can secure its postseason berth with a win tonight at Holt Academy.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lathrop 51, Central Valley 22
In Ceres, the Spartans (6-7 WAC, 13-14 overall) took care of business to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Ahead by 10 at halftime, they widened the gap with a 10-0 shutout in the third quarter and continued to dominate from there.
Shakara Porter amassed 12 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jaleiyah Ray had a team-high 14 points. Tati Lopez chipped in six points and three steals. Kirat Sidhu had seven points and five rebounds.
Sophomore forward Araya Carson made her long-awaited season debut after recovering from a fractured ankle sustained in volleyball.
JV boys soccer
Manteca 11, Central Catholic 0
Alberto Gutierrez and Luis Lucas Ramirez each recorded a hat trick, as the Buffaloes coasted past short-handed Central Catholic.
Frosh girls basketball
Lathrop 33, Central Valley 23
Kaliyah Urrutia poured in 14 points, nine steals and two blocks for the Spartans (11-2 WAC).
Ishaan Singh tallied 10 points and nine rebounds. Laniyah Stroud-Prince added six points and 10 boards.
