TRACY – The Manteca Little League major all-stars battled for eight innings Wednesday but lost a 6-5 heartbreaker to Delta for the championship of the Section 6 Tournament at Monticello School.

“I am super proud of the way we played,” Manteca coach Brad Garlets said. “We have been battling for two tournaments now.

“And it has not been just one guy. I think we have had eight different kids hit home runs in the last two tournaments and we have had great pitching from five or six different kids. The boys played hard and they fought but came up a little short tonight.”

Manteca got two home runs in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. Austin Kovacs had a two-run shot – his second in as many days – and Harley Boynton (2 for 3, home run) had the second home run of the frame, his second in as many games as well.

Delta took a 4-3 lead in the third, but Manteca was poised to bounce back in the fourth. An inning-ending double play with a runner being thrown out at home and then third ended the threat.

Kovacs (2 for 4, home run, three RBI) singled in Briggs Alavezos (double) in the sixth inning and Karson Condit hit in Garren Genilla (3 for 3, double) to put Manteca back on top 6-5. Delta tied it in the bottom of the sixth to force extra innings.

Manteca got two runners on in both the seventh and eight innings but could not get a run in. Delta left a runner stranded on third in the seventh before getting runners at the corners with one out in the eighth, forcing Manteca to bring its outfield in. Delta rapped a single to the fence to end the game and the tournament.