MANTECA — After walking in her first at-bat, Sierra High's Heather Scharmann chased a changeup in the third inning to strike out on three pitches. In the next inning, she vindicated herself in a big way.

The Timberwolves junior plastered a 1-1 offering over the left-field fence for a three-run home run as part of a seven-run fourth and sent Sierra on the way to a 12-2 six-inning win over visiting Manteca in Valley Oak League Softball action. The win clinches a Sierra berth in the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

"That was the ugliest at-bat ever," Scharmann said. "I will be the first to admit it.

"So when I came up again, I was thinking that I was not going to go 0-for-today.

"All I could think was to see the ball and hit the ball. I was not going to overthink it, because when I do I strike out."

Six of the first seven Timberwolves batters reached base in that big fourth inning, with Emily Silvia, Dawn Kilpatrick, Monica Morado, Marissa Olmo and Megan Anderson each netting an RBI before Scharmann's monster blast.

Batting leadoff, Morado did the job desired a No. 1 batter. She reached base in all four of her at-bats, walking three times, hitting a single and scoring three times. She also played a fantastic game at shortstop.

"I was a little scared at first, because the last time we played them I ended up with stitches," Morado said. "But that didn't happen this time.

"It was great because everyone on the team did

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contributed."

The Buffaloes (14-9, 8-5 VOL) squandered opportunities, stranding two runners in the third inning and three in the fifth.

"In the fouth inning, we were only down by one," Manteca coach Todd Hardcastle said. "And we did not take advantage of the opportunities we had. Had we taken advantage early in the game, maybe things would have been different.

"We knew sooner or later they would be able to take advantage, as we are not going to blow anyone away off the mound, and we are going to give up our share of runs."

Sierra pitcher Bre McGraw gave up five hits in five innings and struck out three. Two of the strikeouts were big, ending the Manteca threats in the third and fifth innings.

McGraw missed the Timberwolves' last game — a 3-2 extra-inning win over rival East Union — due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

"My physical therapist told me I could pitch a little," McGraw said. "I showed him how well I could move my neck, and he finally released me.

"I was really determined to come out here and pitch, especially on our senior day. And this is the first time I can remember Sierra ever going to the playoffs."

The game started a little rough for Sierra (16-9-1, 10-3) with the Timberwolves committing two errors in the opening frame before second baseman Kilpatrick snagged a grounder, tagged the runner and threw to first for an inning-ending double play.

"It took us awhile to get started, and I blame that on the bad practice we had on Monday," Timberwolves coach Nick Olmo said. "But the bats did eventually refocus, and we did well when they came alive."