TRACY — The Manteca Little League Red Sox put the finishing touches on their undefeated run in the District 67 Junior Division Tournament of Champions on Monday, throttling intra-city foe Spreckels Park for a second time in four days, 15-3.
Winning pitcher Ryan Zimmermann fired six strikeouts and gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits. He also led all players with three runs plated. A.J. Kovacs got the final two outs in the bottom of the fifth to end it early via the mercy rule. Manteca previously knocked off the Giants 10-6 last Friday in the winners-bracket semifinal.
Zimmermann spotted himself an early lead after leading off the game with a walk and scoring on Briggs Alavezos’ fielder’s choice.
The Red Sox never trailed from there, adding one more in the top of the second before putting up a 10 spot in the third. Christian Tonna slugged two doubles and drove in three runs during the assault and finished 2 for 3 overall.
Alavezos ended up with three RBIs to go with two runs and a double. Karson Condit went 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI. Kovacs walked twice, legged out an infield single and scored a pair of runs. Manteca needed just seven hits, as it was aided by four walks, a hit batter and six errors.
Spreckels Park had chances early to keep pace. In the second inning, Joel Gallo drilled a triple to deep right for the Giants’ first hit but was left stranded on third. In the next inning, Nos. 8 and 9 batters Ethan Sanchez and Josh Brake reached on an error and infield single, respectively, but Manteca Tonna, playing second base, helped Zimmermann escape the jam with an unassisted double play.
Spreckels Park had its best overall inning in the fourth, when Deshon Thomas singled in Kenny Kuwads to the Giants on board. In the bottom half, relief pitcher Steven Eaves struck out the side in order. Jesse Ortiz-Martinez then yanked a two-run homer to left in the fifth.
The postseason shifts to the all-star tournaments, which begins on Saturday for the junior division. Manteca faces Tracy National at 9 a.m. with the winner taking on Weston Ranch on Sunday. Spreckels Park takes on Northgate with Tracy American awaiting the victor on Sunday.
