In a clash between the top two teams in the Valley Oak League, Sierra High maintained the top spot by defeating second-place Kimball in Tracy Thursday, 4-1.
“This was a huge game for us,” said Timberwolves coach Nick Olmo, who was thankful for the early lead.
He added: “With four games left, we have to continue playing good ball.”
Sierra (9-1, 15-1-1) jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the first inning thanks to Sommer Wilson’s three-run blast.
She along with shortstop Daylynn Penner went 2 for 4 at the plate.
Freshman hurler Allison Walljasper kept Kimball (8-2, 14-5) in check, scattering six hits while striking out nine and issuing a walk. She also helped her cause by going 3 for 4 at the plate.
Sierra took advantage of the Jaguars defense early on. “They were playing us shallow in the outfield,” Olmo said.
Kimball adjusted but the deficit proved too much to overcome.
Manteca trailed through most of the game before Dallas Mould delivered the game-winning hit, driving in Mia Ramirez.
The Buffaloes had tied the game on Hailee Texiera’s RBI single.
“We started off slow,” said Manteca coach Corey Navarro, who got a solo blast from Ramirez in the first inning,
Weston Ranch (2-5, 5-11) held a 7-1 lead prior to the Buffaloes’ five-run rally in the bottom of the fourth.
“I thought we were in the driver seat when were ahead, but we had some errors in crucial spots,” said Cougars coach Mabini Fuertis.
Weston Ranch took an 8-7 lead into the final frame, with Vanessa Contreras’ RBI single plating Mia Thurman.
The Cougars, who collected 10 hits, were led by Contreras and Raileen Romo. Both went 4 for 5 with a pair of RBI.
Selena Gonzalez, Mariah Navarro, Ramirez, Teixiera and Mould had two hits apiece for the Buffaloes, who will take on second-place Kimball on Wednesday.
Pitcher Peyton Rose was credited with the win. She struck out seven and walked one while going the distance.
East Union (5-4, 8-8-1) scored four times in the frame, adding one in the fourth and racking up four more in the sixth.
Pitcher Kelsey Emerson handcuffed Sonora (1-8, 4-12), allowing five hits while going the distance.
Offensively, Salina Tiscareno was 3 for 4 for East Union, scoring twice, with Jillian Goulart collecting a pair of hits and scoring two runs. Lamar also went 2 for 4.
Hughson (8-2, 17-3) scored four times in the first inning, adding two more in the second and fifth innings.
Ripon rallied for three in the seventh to make things interesting.
The Indians were led by Myranda Newhard, who was 2 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI, and Melanie Wilkerson, who also had two hits to go along with her two runs and RBI. Taylor Vernon was 2 for 3, scoring once and, along with Nicole Kaiser, was also credited with a double.
“This was a huge game for us,” said Timberwolves coach Nick Olmo, who was thankful for the early lead.
He added: “With four games left, we have to continue playing good ball.”
Sierra (9-1, 15-1-1) jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the first inning thanks to Sommer Wilson’s three-run blast.
She along with shortstop Daylynn Penner went 2 for 4 at the plate.
Freshman hurler Allison Walljasper kept Kimball (8-2, 14-5) in check, scattering six hits while striking out nine and issuing a walk. She also helped her cause by going 3 for 4 at the plate.
Sierra took advantage of the Jaguars defense early on. “They were playing us shallow in the outfield,” Olmo said.
Kimball adjusted but the deficit proved too much to overcome.
Manteca 9, Weston Ranch 8
The Buffaloes (7-4, 13-7) scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to pull out a VOL win over the visiting Cougars.Manteca trailed through most of the game before Dallas Mould delivered the game-winning hit, driving in Mia Ramirez.
The Buffaloes had tied the game on Hailee Texiera’s RBI single.
“We started off slow,” said Manteca coach Corey Navarro, who got a solo blast from Ramirez in the first inning,
Weston Ranch (2-5, 5-11) held a 7-1 lead prior to the Buffaloes’ five-run rally in the bottom of the fourth.
“I thought we were in the driver seat when were ahead, but we had some errors in crucial spots,” said Cougars coach Mabini Fuertis.
Weston Ranch took an 8-7 lead into the final frame, with Vanessa Contreras’ RBI single plating Mia Thurman.
The Cougars, who collected 10 hits, were led by Contreras and Raileen Romo. Both went 4 for 5 with a pair of RBI.
Selena Gonzalez, Mariah Navarro, Ramirez, Teixiera and Mould had two hits apiece for the Buffaloes, who will take on second-place Kimball on Wednesday.
Pitcher Peyton Rose was credited with the win. She struck out seven and walked one while going the distance.
East Union 9, Sonora 2
Brittany LaMar had a two-run blast in the third inning, pacing the Lancers past the Wildcats.East Union (5-4, 8-8-1) scored four times in the frame, adding one in the fourth and racking up four more in the sixth.
Pitcher Kelsey Emerson handcuffed Sonora (1-8, 4-12), allowing five hits while going the distance.
Offensively, Salina Tiscareno was 3 for 4 for East Union, scoring twice, with Jillian Goulart collecting a pair of hits and scoring two runs. Lamar also went 2 for 4.
Trans Valley League
Hughson 9, Ripon 4
The visiting Indians (3-7, 10-9) fell behind early on against first-place Hughson.Hughson 9, Ripon 4
Hughson (8-2, 17-3) scored four times in the first inning, adding two more in the second and fifth innings.
Ripon rallied for three in the seventh to make things interesting.
The Indians were led by Myranda Newhard, who was 2 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI, and Melanie Wilkerson, who also had two hits to go along with her two runs and RBI. Taylor Vernon was 2 for 3, scoring once and, along with Nicole Kaiser, was also credited with a double.
