Baseball Game Preview: Manteca Buffaloes vs. Ripon Indians

Buffaloes

Runs

02/26/25 @ Tracy	7
02/21/25 @ Hughson	4
02/19/25 vs Central Valley	4
02/14/25 @ Franklin	9
02/12/25 vs Los Banos	4
02/11/25 vs Weston Ranch	17

The Manteca Buffaloes will head out on the road to square off against the Ripon Indians at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Manteca is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.5 runs per game this season.

On Wednesday, Manteca earned a 7-3 victory over Tracy.

Jeremy Cross looked comfortable as he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one walk in four consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Manteca saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Noah Navarro, who scored two runs while going 1-for-4. Cameron Jimenez also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Ripon). They were the clear victor by a 9-2 margin over Beyer on Wednesday. The win was some much needed relief for the Indians as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.

The team relied heavily on Brayden McDowell, who went 2-for-3 with four RBI and one run. What's more, he posted two hits, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was Isaiah Martinez, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3.

Manteca's record is now 5-1. As for Ripon, their record now sits at 2-3.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Manteca has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Ripon struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.4 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Manteca skirted past Ripon 9-8 in their previous matchup back in May of 2021. Will Manteca repeat their success, or does Ripon have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.