The Wednesday, May 7 bout between Sierra (7-5) and East Union High’s (7-5) baseball teams was postponed to Thursday after an abscent umpire, bringing the final Valley Oak League series of the year to a tight two-day finale and showdown for one of the last two remaining seeds from the VOL into the division IV Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

            Today, May 9, the two programs will square off for one last say on a postseason advancement.

Manteca 12, Weston Ranch 2

            The Buffaloes need just one more victory over Weston Ranch to guarantee action in the SJS postseason, and made their case on Wednesday with 14 hits against the visiting Cougars.

            Manteca scored eight in the second and two in the first and third innings for the mercy-rule victory.

            Beau Fryer hit 2-for-3 with a triple in the win while Robbie Lewis was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Toby Fox hit 2-for-3 while Tim Larson (home run) Kevin Allen (two RBIs) and Ryan Knisley (two RBIs) also contributed at the plate.

            Ricky Acosta and Curtis May combined for the win on the hill.

            “(I was) very pleased with the way we threw strikes, played defense and hit the ball,” Manteca coach Neil MacDannald said. “I hope we can duplicate our performance on Friday.”

            Manteca (8-5) can clinch the VOL’s two-seed if the team wins and Sierra and East Union split the their two-game series.

            Either way, the Buffs are destined to play the No.1 seed from the Pioneer Valley League or Capital Valley Conference in the playoffs opening round on Wednesday, May 14th, in Sacramento.