The job of a leadoff batter is to get on base and score, and Manteca leadoff batter Chase Stephenson did that in all of his five plate appearances Thursday to help lead his team to a 21-7 quarterfinal win on Bassi Field in the District 67 9-10 All-Star Tournament hosted by Northgate Little League.

Stephenson (two RBI) was 3 for 3 with a double, triple and two walks to lead a 21-hit onslaught, and Branden Molthen was 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles and four RBI. Owen Scott (three RBI), Quino Gurrola (two RBI), D.J. Garcia (two RBI), Amrit Dehal (RBI) Max Gulart (RBI) and Andrew Maldonado (RBI) each had two hits with Alexander Murrietta adding two RBI and Ricky Lopez one RBI. 

Stephenson picked up the win, throwing three innings with five strikeouts, one walk and one hit. Owen Scott struck out three batters to close out the contest.

The win sets up a semifinal tilt with crosstown rival Northgate A on Saturday at 1 p.m. on Gillen Field.

 

Northgate A 11, Mountain House 0 (5 innings)

Luke Weaver was 3 for 4 and William Sugura was 2 for 4 to pace Northgate to the mercy rule win on Gillen Field.

Northgate A led 8-0 going into the fifth when a two-out rally added three runs. Nolan Calmes walked with two down, Carlos Alvarez singled, Segura reached on an error and Weaver singled. Calmes, Alvarez and Segura all came in to score and Nothgate A kept Mountain House off the board in the bottom of the frame to end the game.

Segura scored three times with Alvarez and Calmes each scoring twice.

In the fourth inning Northgate A. first baseman Jacob Toste and third baseman Alvarez both made highlight-reel catches on line drives to help keep the shutout alive.

Northgate A and Manteca will clash in a semifinal contest Saturday at 1 p.m. on Gillen Field.