Win, lose or draw, athletes at Riverbank High have trudged on throughout a difficult lineup of Trans-Valley League and nonconference appearances. Following is a summary of recent action.
Boys Golf
If prep golf was scored like pinball, then Riverbank’s season-high score on March 27 would be a cause for celebration. The Bruins struggled to a 339-stroke performance on the par-36 front nine at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club to slip to second-place Escalon (226 strokes) and remain winless in league.
Casey Floyd carded a solid 43-stroke tally to end third overall and lead the Bruins. Zach Woods followed with a 67 while Joaquin Felix (72), Taylor Adcox (74) and Thys Shurer (83) also landed scores.
Riverbank (0-6) hosts Orestimba on April 9 to continue conference play.
Baseball
A 12-0 defeat to Orestimba on March 27 did little to dampen Riverbank spirits. The Bruins bounced back with a determined come-from-behind victory a day later to stun the Warriors with a 6-5 decision at home.
Orestimba had mounted a 5-0 lead in the opening frame, but couldn’t match a game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Antonio Perez tossed the victory for Riverbank and rallied behind the hitting of Chad Oliver (2 for 2, three RBIs) and Armando Manriquez (2 for 3, double).
Riverbank (1-3) played Central Valley to begin the Art McRae Tournament on Monday, though results were not available at press time. The Bruins pick up TVL play with visiting Hilmar on April 10.
Tennis
The Bruins rallied past Orestimba 9-0 on March 26 and handed Hughson a 7-2 defeat two days later to advance to a 3-2 mark in TVL play. The Bruins get a shot to avenge both of their prior TVL defeats with an April 9 meeting at Escalon and April 12 showdown at Modesto Christian. Undefeated Escalon routed Riverbank 8-1 to start the year while the Crusaders beat Riverbank 5-4 on March 19. The top three teams in the TVL will qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
Softball
The Lady Bruins are in desperate need of TVL wins after a 10-3 loss to second-place Ripon on March 28. Riverbank is fourth amongst a top-five in the league standings that include Hughson (4-0), Ripon (3-1), Orestimba (3-1), Riverbank (2-3) and Escalon (2-3).
The Bruins haven’t played Hughson and badly need league wins to steal one of only three qualifications from the conference into the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
The girls play Hughson at home on April 9 and host Modesto Christian (0-4) two days later. The Crusaders beat Riverbank this preseason.
