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Spring Sports Wrap - Bruins Close Out Spring Campaigns Strong
5-15 RIV Baseball
A throw from Anthony Gonzales makes it to first base during TVL play. - photo by IKE DODSON/THE NEWS

Between a thrilling run into the postseason for the Riverbank High’s coed tennis program and exciting last-game victories for Bruin baseball and softball players, the spring sports season culminated with a terrific finish. Following is a summary of season-ending contests.

 

Baseball

The Bruin baseball team already recorded a bewildering upset of Trans-Valley League runner-up Orestimba, but landed their second win of conference play by ousting host Modesto Christian with an impressive 5-1 victory on May 8.

The Bruins (6-14 overall, 2-10 TVL) had fallen 10-3 in the series opener a day prior, but battled back to allow only three hits and capitalize on four MC errors in the season finale. Riverbank scored one run in the first, two in the second and added a run in both the fifth and sixth innings.

 

Softball

The softball Bruins (9-14-1, 5-7) left the conference standings with a semblance of pride after downing Modesto Christian with a 10-2 blowout on the road on May 7.

Riverbank allowed just three MC base hits and saw quality at bats from Brittany Cody (two walks, run, stolen base) and Amy McDonald (hit, run).

The finish left Riverbank just two wins out of third place, just behind Escalon (7-5) and Orestimba (6-6). The Bruins split games against both those teams.

 

Tennis

Riverbank closed the season with a 9-0 loss to Placer in the quarterfinal round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs on May 6. Placer would go on to blast Vista del Lago 9-0 in the semifinals and cruise to a 7-2 win over River City in the SJS finals.

Gabby Macedo captured 7-6 set win over Jessu Fry from the No. 2 doubles position, but couldn’t maintain the lead in close sets as Fry finished with 7-5, 6-4 wins.

Juan Alfaro and Mago Manriquez proved tough with a 6-3 opener in mixed doubles, but allowed Tani Thomsen and Robert Kulkica to come back with 6-2, 6-4 decisions.

Armando Rodriguez, Nick Campbell, Linda Erazo, Ernie Velasco, Javier Baltazar, Rigo Garcia, Nathaniel Martinez, Rosa Zurita, Socorro Medina, Brooke Rodriguez and Breanna Rodriguez also proved tough, but couldn’t squeeze out set wins.