Riverbank athletes were busy again this past week, as the Trans-Valley League season nears its end and previously rained out games were inserted into the schedule.
Bruin Baseball
An extra game last week put a strain on RHS varsity baseball pitchers and two of the games pushed them to extra innings.
The Bruins split a pair of games away and at home against the Hughson Huskies, winning 7-4 on Wednesday, April 18, before dropping a tough 7-6 loss in 10 innings here on Friday last week. A regular high school ball game usually lasts seven innings.
In the make-up of a rained out earlier game, hosting Hilmar on Saturday, the Bruins lost a close 6-4 game in eight innings. They tied it up with three runs in the sixth before falling in the extra frame.
Riverbank doesn’t play again until Wednesday, May 2, hosting Ripon High.
Tennis
Riverbank tennis players had a bye last Tuesday, but won against Hughson last Friday, April 20, 6-3. The win leaves the Bruins on pins and needles for the end of the season, to see where they fill finish.
This week, a make-up game was set for Monday hosting Mountain House and then the Bruins were to play on Tuesday, April 24 at Escalon. Action all across the league this week will likely impact the final TVL standings. Riverbank had a 5-2 record after Friday’s match.
According to coach Bruce Edwards, a win in Escalon would make Riverbank the champs.
“If we lose, then it could be a three-way tie, if Ripon wins both of its remaining matches,” the coach explained.
Additional scenarios include: If Hughson beats Ripon and Ripon beats Escalon, it would be a tie for first place between Riverbank and Mountain House. If Riverbank loses and Hughson wins, then it would be a three-way tie again for first, between Riverbank, Mountain House and Hughson. Those teams would all end with a 5-3 record.
“Of course,” Edwards said, “the easiest way is for us to just win!”
Lady Bruin Softball
Softball players were busy with two games last week, hosting Escalon on Wednesday, April 18, and traveling to Mountain House on Thursday.
Excitement on the home field last Wednesday was caused by a two-run home run hit by senior Alyssa Frear in the bottom of the first inning. A huge damper on the game, though, came from a grand slam home run turned in by the Lady Cougars that started off the game. And that was all the visitors needed, with the contest ending at five innings, 18-2. The next day, the Lady Bruins traveled to Mountain House to lose a heartbreaker, 12-11, to the Lady Mustangs.
League play continues this week, with a scheduled game Tuesday, April 24 with Hilmar coming to town, after The News went to press. Then the girls are off until Tuesday, May 1 when they travel to Ripon. A May 3 game at Hughson follows, with the final home game for the Lady Bruins set for Tuesday, May 8. That will be Senior Recognition Night against Modesto Christian.
