Local Star Hunter Manning Shines

Hunter Manning, an emerging baseball talent, resides just a stone’s throw away from the West Ranch High baseball field, often hearing the sounds of practice late into the night. This proximity has enriched his high school experience, especially after transferring to West Ranch where he enjoys mornings without the burdens of a long commute.

Having moved from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Manning now wakes up at a more manageable 7:45 a.m., allowing him to walk to school on time while reconnecting with childhood friends. He is set to continue his baseball journey at the University of California, Irvine, focusing on pitching.

Game Highlights Against Hart

Manning’s recent performance was nothing short of impressive. In a critical match against Hart High School, which served as a contest for the Foothill League title, Manning struck out an astounding 12 batters, leading West Ranch to a 3-1 victory. The team now boasts a record of 16-8 overall and 8-1 in the league.

Central to Manning’s success on the mound was catcher Nolan Stoll, who took charge of calling pitches after a malfunction with the PitchCom device. This unexpected collaboration proved to be highly effective, with Manning previously achieving a school-record 16 strikeouts in another game against Valencia. “He called an awesome game,” Manning remarked about Stoll’s performance.

The Future of West Ranch’s Star Players

Stoll, who has committed to Stanford University, excels both academically and athletically, boasting a remarkable GPA. Manning, with a solid 3.8 GPA, acknowledges that he will need to explore options if he hopes to partner with Stoll at UC Irvine, though he admits, “Sadly, I can’t.”

Additional Highlights from the League

Aside from the West Ranch game, several other key matchups took place, showcasing the depth of talent within high school baseball. Noteworthy results included:

• St. John Bosco 2, Mater Dei 1: A walk-off bases-loaded walk secured the win for the Braves.
• Santa Margarita 5, JSerra 1: Warren Gravely IV’s three-run triple clinched victory in the ninth inning.
• Newport Harbor 5, Huntington Beach 2: Key hits from Lucas Perez and Adam Martin powered Newport past the top-ranked team.
• El Dorado 4, Cypress 0: A shutout by Logan Steenburgen made headlines with Diego Gonzalez’s two-run home run.

Looking Ahead

West Ranch is geared for another showdown against Hart this Friday. As the league title race heats up, players like Manning and Stoll will look to maintain their momentum and continue contributing to their team’s success.