Fifty years ago, on August 18, 1963,
the city of Manteca came within one run of being the home of the California State softball champions when the Manteca Ford nine dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rolinda Merchants of Fresno in the finals. The tournament, featuring 18 of the top teams in the state, was held in Hayward. Dick Merenda slammed a triple with two aboard in the fifth frame for the Manteca runs. The second place finish still guarantees the Ford team a bid to the ASA Regional tournament in Sunnyvale, from which California’s representative to the World Tournament in Clearwater, Florida will be chosen.

In other sports stories from the Bulletin files:
10 years ago: September 3, 2003 – A three-goal comeback by Hilmar High was squelched by Sierra High Tuesday, the Timberwolves overcoming the rally with two goals to finish on top in a 7-3 soccer win. Josh Lacey scored twice for the T’wolves and single goals came from Brian Pires, Michael Montes, Chris Serrano, Danny Rosas and Jesus Acuna.
In her first competitive golf match ever, East Union High’s Tara Burlingame carded a 52 to pace the Lancer golfers to a 307-336 victory over host Los Banos High on Tuesday.
Playing under the new rally scoring system for just the second time in its 2003 preseason home opener, the Manteca High volleyball team looked tentative in the early going of his match against Ceres High Thursday night at Winter Gym. It didn’t take long for the Buffaloes to find their groove, however, as they posted their first victory of the season in four games (21-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-21). Megan and Emily Viera were the team leaders and Stephanie Aschenbrenner handed out 25 assists.
After starting off the season with five straight losses, the East Union High soccer team battled visiting Lincoln High to a 3-3 draw on Thursday afternoon. Edgar Garibay, Chris Vaught and David Mendoza scored the goals for the Lancers.
Anthony King scored twice and Freddie Larez once as the Manteca High soccer team blanked Bear Creek High 3-0 on Thursday.
Bear Creek High made quick work of the East Union High volleyball team on Thursday at Dalben Center by taking a three-game match by scores of 25-13, 25-22, 25-20. Middle blocker Sam Wendt led the way for the Lancers with eight kills and three blocks.
Sierra High had great production from everyone and the golf team took a 233-281 win over Riverbank High yesterday. Katie Fahey had the lowest score by shooting a 42.
 20 years ago: August 26, 1993 – Manteca High’s new volleyball coach, Jim Marcelo, will use his intense love for the game to spark the Lady Buffs this season. The 31 year-old Marcelo has coached for nine years and pushes his girls hard.
With boys’ soccer moving from winter to fall, a whole new group of athletes must adjust to the heat. Paul Bennett, Manteca High’s soccer coach, has had his team working on conditioning for the past two weeks. The players have been working out at 7:30 a.m., with another session in the evening.
Over at East Union High, soccer coach Jeff Poulos is trying to work his players into shape by using game situations. “The system I learned, you make the drills mini games,” said Poulos.
Tennis is much different than soccer as far as conditioning goes. Mark Liles has kept the workouts for his East Union High girls team light. “We’ve only had three practices. We’re trying to work on fundamentals.”

Cross-country is a sport that demands the athletes be in shape. Luckily for Manteca High coach Martha Dias, her players are ready. “They’ve been practicing all summer,” said Dias. “I’m really impressed.”

30 years ago: August 22, 1983 – The Manteca High Buffaloes ,co-champions of the Valley Oak League last year, are stretching and bending themselves into shape for the upcoming high school football season under the watchful eye of coach Mickey Founts. The Buffs are in the second week of practice and are working out twice daily.

40 years ago: August 22, 1973 – For the first time, the East Union High Athletic Boosters Club is selling season tickets to all home games for their team. The athletic club decided to sell those to anyone who is interested and for the five games, there will be a $1.50 savings as the ticket sells for $6.25.

60 years ago: August 20, 1953 – Arte J. Fairbanks, athletic director at the high school, reminds all athletes or would-be athletes, that football season is here again, and, if possible, be at the gymnasium for physical examinations on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

80 years ago: August 24, 1933 – Perry’s All-stars defeated the Firemen softball aggregation in a hotly-contested game on the high school diamond Monday evening by the score of 7 to 3. The batteries were: Perry’s All-stars-Perry and Bill Gaines, pitchers, and Bill Johnson and Perry, catchers; Firemen-E. R. Van Sandt and Plouff.

100 years ago: August 22, 1913 – Sunday’s game between the Surveyors and the White Sox was a pitchers’ battle. The ball was hit safely 10 times through the game. The White Sox edged the Surveyors 6 to 5 as Lagorio allowed but five hits. Erstad had two of the seven White Sox hits and scored two runs for Manteca.