It’s a big week in Merced County high school sports. Here’s what’s happening
The seventh-seeded El Capitan High baseball team, fresh off its big upset over second-seeded Vista del Lago on Friday, takes some serious momentum into its best-of-three matchup against third-seeded Manteca this week in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 3 playoffs.
The Gauchos (23-7) have won 12 consecutive games heading into the series against the Buffaloes (22-8).
“It’s a blessing,” El Capitan senior Zach Hunter told Shawn Jansen of the Merced Union High School District. “I love it. I love being able to play baseball. We get to continue this and this is the most fun I’ve had in baseball in a long time. We all get along really well, and it’s just great being around these guys.”
Tuesday’s opening game, at Manteca at 4 p.m., will be crucial for El Capitan. A win would mean the Gauchos could play at home Thursday with a chance to win the series.
If the two team split the first two games, the rubber match would be played Friday at Manteca.
Here’s the semifinal series schedule:
- Tuesday: El Capitan at Manteca, 4 p.m.
- Thursday: Manteca at El Capitan, 4 p.m.
- Friday, El Capitan at Manteca, 4 p.m. (if necessary)
Top-seeded Rio American and fifth-seeded Christian Brothers will play in the other semifinal series.
The championship series will be played May 20-23.
Merced, Le Grand softball teams ready for playoffs
The sixth-seeded Merced High softball team opens the section Division 2 tournament against 11th-seeded Lodi on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Merced went 10-0 to win the Central California Conference title and is 19-3 overall. The Bears are led by senior pitcher Annalise Ramirez, who has committed to play for Cal State Monterey Bay.
Le Grand, the top seed in the Division 7 tournament, gets a bye for the first round and will play its first tournament game on Friday against the winner of Rio Vista vs. Delta Charter.
Merced boys tennis plays for Division 3 title
The second-seeded Merced High boys tennis team will play for the section Division 3 championship on Thursday against fourth-seeded Kennedy of Sacramento. The match will be played at the University of the Pacific.
Merced (13-5 overall) earned a spot in the title match with a 7-2 victory over third-seeded Woodcreek in a semifinal match last Thursday. Kennedy defeated top-seeded Rio Americano 5-4 in their semifinal.
Merced is looking for its first section team title since 1991.
Livingston boys volleyball falls in section final, readies for NorCal
The top-seeded Livingston boys volleyball team finished in second place in the Division 4 tournament for the second year in a row.
The Wolves fell in four games to third-seeded El Dorado in the section championship match on Saturday at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento.
Despite being section runner-up, Livingston advances to the Northern California tournament. Seedings for that tournament will be announced Sunday.
Last year, Livingston won the NorCal title, then fell in the state championship match.
Section divisional track and field meet Saturday
Athletes from Merced County will be competing in the section Track and Field Divisional Finals scheduled for Saturday at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.
The Masters Meet, which serves as the final qualifying meet for the state meet, will be held May 23. The state championships will be held May 29-30 in Clovis.
Merced boys golf finished tied for third
The Merced High boys golf team finished in a tie for third place at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Championships on Monday at Pheasant Run Golf Club in Chowchilla.
The Bears finished with a score of 396, which tied with Rodriguez of Fairfield for third, behind Oakdale (385) and Twelve Bridges (389). Anthony Verduzco was Merced’s top performer, turning in a 77.
