The Ripon A’s scored three runs in the third inning and three more in the fifth for all they would need in a 7-2 win over the Manteca White Sox to open the District 67 Minors Tournament of Champions at Thiemann Athletic Park in Ripon.

Three consecutive e doubles helped get Ripon on the board in the third inning. Hudson Rushing (2 for 3, double, two runs), Logan Alexander (2 for 3, three RBI, double, three runs) and Bronson Dietrich (3 for 3, RBI, double) all hit two-baggers with Alexander knocking in James Mayfield and Rushing while Dietrich plated Alexander for a 3-0 lead.

The same trio struck again in the fifth inning with singles by Rushing, Alexander, Dietrich as well as Mason Dodson (2 for 3, RBI). Alexander hit Rushing in and scored the next two runs, scoring on a passed ball and then while running for Dietrich he came in on Dodson’s single to make the score 6-2. Dale McWhirter (3 for 3, RBI, double, run) scored the game’s final run in the seventh inning on a Luke Mayfield groundout.

Dodson, Dietrich and Rushing split the pitching duties, tallying 16 strikeouts and allowing just three hits.

The White Sox got their two runs in the fourth to come within 3-2. Jake Reynolds reached on an error to lead off the frame and scored on Grayson Keller’s double. Austin Hinton singled in Keller before the inning ended on three consecutive strikeouts.

Ripon faces Spreckels Park this afternoon at 5:30 in a second-round contest and Manteca played Weston Ranch on Monday in an elimination game. Results were not available at press time.