By JONAMAR JACINTO
Sports editor of the
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
The sweltering heat seemed to sap the energy out of host Manteca Monday, but Ceres freshman hurler Kaycee Creek managed to keep her cool throughout.
Creek had one of her most impressive performances since taking over for senior ace Vaneza Hoover, who was dismissed from the team earlier this season. Creek’s two-hit gem included seven strikeouts in the Bulldogs’ 11-0 victory in five innings.
“They acted like they’ve never seen the sun before in their lives, but it didn’t seem to bother (Ceres) at all,” Manteca coach Todd Hardcastle said. “We came out very lethargic.
“But you have to give it to that little freshman they have, she’s pretty tough.”
Melissa Bond reached on an infield single to lead off the second, and Chandler Rose’s knock to left field represented Manteca’s only other hit. Creek issued her lone walk to Trina Solario, who battled through an 11-pitch at-bat in the first to get on.
The struggling Buffaloes (1-7 Valley Oak League, 5-13 overall) had their chances to stay within striking distance but stranded four runners in the first three innings.
“That’s killed us all year; we can’t get that big hit,” Hardcastle said. “We have to take advantage of the opportunities we do get, because sometimes we don’t get a whole lot.”
That had a lot to do with Creek, who also helped her own cause by going 2 for 3 with an RBI double and a run in the first inning.
Ceres (6-2, 15-6) spotted its pitcher a five-run lead in the opening frame. Shaye Farriester, who was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and three runs, hammered a triple to highlight the rally.
Clean-up hitter Jode Johnson put her all-around athletic ability on display in the fourth, when she sent a rocket to deep left-center field and sprinted to the dish to cap a two-run inside-the-park homer.
Johnson finished 2 for 3, and Pricilla Acosta went 2 for 2 with a run and an RBI from the bottom of the order. Acosta led off the top of the fifth with a double and was driven in by Ryan Norton’s groundout. Farriester scored Mika Johnson with a single to right for the 10th run.
Manteca, losers of seven of its last eight, will look to right the ship Wednesday when Sonora visits. The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
To contact Jonamar Jacinto, e-mail jjacinto@mantecabulletin.com, or call (209) 249-3538.
Sports editor of the
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
The sweltering heat seemed to sap the energy out of host Manteca Monday, but Ceres freshman hurler Kaycee Creek managed to keep her cool throughout.
Creek had one of her most impressive performances since taking over for senior ace Vaneza Hoover, who was dismissed from the team earlier this season. Creek’s two-hit gem included seven strikeouts in the Bulldogs’ 11-0 victory in five innings.
“They acted like they’ve never seen the sun before in their lives, but it didn’t seem to bother (Ceres) at all,” Manteca coach Todd Hardcastle said. “We came out very lethargic.
“But you have to give it to that little freshman they have, she’s pretty tough.”
Melissa Bond reached on an infield single to lead off the second, and Chandler Rose’s knock to left field represented Manteca’s only other hit. Creek issued her lone walk to Trina Solario, who battled through an 11-pitch at-bat in the first to get on.
The struggling Buffaloes (1-7 Valley Oak League, 5-13 overall) had their chances to stay within striking distance but stranded four runners in the first three innings.
“That’s killed us all year; we can’t get that big hit,” Hardcastle said. “We have to take advantage of the opportunities we do get, because sometimes we don’t get a whole lot.”
That had a lot to do with Creek, who also helped her own cause by going 2 for 3 with an RBI double and a run in the first inning.
Ceres (6-2, 15-6) spotted its pitcher a five-run lead in the opening frame. Shaye Farriester, who was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and three runs, hammered a triple to highlight the rally.
Clean-up hitter Jode Johnson put her all-around athletic ability on display in the fourth, when she sent a rocket to deep left-center field and sprinted to the dish to cap a two-run inside-the-park homer.
Johnson finished 2 for 3, and Pricilla Acosta went 2 for 2 with a run and an RBI from the bottom of the order. Acosta led off the top of the fifth with a double and was driven in by Ryan Norton’s groundout. Farriester scored Mika Johnson with a single to right for the 10th run.
Manteca, losers of seven of its last eight, will look to right the ship Wednesday when Sonora visits. The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
To contact Jonamar Jacinto, e-mail jjacinto@mantecabulletin.com, or call (209) 249-3538.
