The Manteca Buffaloes will challenge the Dixon Rams at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Manteca is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Buhach Colony a 17-0 shutout. The victory was familiar territory for the Buffaloes, who have now won four games in a row.
Riley Ward looked comfortable as she didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Manteca got a massive performance out of Maleiah Garza, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI. That's the most hits Garza has posted since back in April. Another player making a difference was Na'Ima Calderon, who went 2-for-4 with one home run and five RBI.
Dixon came out on top against Sierra on Wednesday thanks in part to the team's impressive six-run third inning. The Rams blew past the Timberwolves 12-2.
Dakota Gaball made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out eight batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off five hits (and only one walk). Gaball was also big at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Makayla Smith, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run and three RBI. That home run marked the first that she has launched this season. Rachael Cayabyab was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI.
Dixon was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .500. They are 10-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Manteca's record now sits at 17-8. As for Dixon, their record is now 14-8.
Everything went Manteca's way against Dixon in their previous matchup back in April of 2019, as Manteca made off with an 11-3 win. Do the Buffaloes have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Rams turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
