Softball Game Preview: Manteca Buffaloes vs. Sierra Timberwolves

Manteca is a perfect 10-0 against Sierra since April of 2019 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Buffaloes will challenge the Timberwolves at 4:00 p.m. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Manteca has eight straight wins, Sierra has ten straight defeats), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

Manteca had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the six-run drubbing they dealt East Union on Tuesday. The Buffaloes put the hurt on the Lancers with a sharp 9-3 victory. The Buffaloes might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight contests by six runs or more this season.

Riley Ward spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three runs (all of which were unearned) on five hits and racked up ten Ks.

Lauren Moncada

Stolen Base (Career)

04/15/25 vs East Union	4
04/05/25 vs Yuba City	2
03/18/25 @ East Union	2
02/26/25 @ Tokay	2
03/25/24 vs Tokay	2

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Lauren Moncada, who scored three runs and stole four bases while going 2-for-3. Those four stolen bases gave her a new career-high. Sienna Owen also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Meanwhile, Sierra came up short against Oakdale on Thursday and fell 6-2.

Manteca's win was their fourth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 15-4. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.5 runs on average over those games. As for Sierra, their loss dropped their record down to 3-10.

Manteca took their win against Sierra in their previous matchup back in March by a conclusive 12-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Buffaloes since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.