Mike Viola doesn't know much about Manteca Buffaloes, Bear River's first round opponent in today's Division VI baseball playoffs opener.

And that's just fine with him.

Viola said after a half dozen straight trips to the section playoffs, he's learned to focus his attention less on the opponent and more on his own Bruins.

"This is what my sixth year of doing this?" Viola said. "I've quit looking at who we're playing and instead we just go for it.

"It's the playoffs."

Which, until last spring, had meant a short second season in the south county. Before the 2007 tournament, when Bear River broke through for a section championship game berth, the playoffs had been a one-and-done proposition for the Bruins.

That was the case even with one of the most talented teams Viola has put on the field, the 2006 squad that included minor league prospect Robby Alcombrack, along with college-bound players Tyler French and Matt Miraldi.

Yet last year's team, although a co-Pioneer Valley League champion, far exceeded expectations in earning a berth to the game.

"Last year they were much more relaxed," Viola said. "They weren't really feeling any pressure. They just went out and played ball."

With all but three players returning from that squad - and the program's first outright Pioneer Valley League championship in their back pocket - expectations might be higher than in 2007, but Viola says he doesn't know what to expect this time out.

The Bruins will send Vince Viola, the PVL's Most Valuable Player, to the mound today. The senior right-hander, who has a 0.88 ERA with 81 strikeouts against 23 walks, picked up seven of his nine wins in the PVL.

At the plate, Stephan Hilton leads the way with a .392 batting average, 24 runs scored and 10 RBIs. Vince Viola is hitting .375 with four homers and 14 RBIs. Brendan Casey (.373, 19 RBIs), Drew Loftus (.333, 20 RBIs) and Chad Smith (.309) also have carried big bats for the Bruins.

Manteca enters the game with a 15-11-1 record and a third place finish in the Valley Oak League. Oakdale, which downed Bear River in last year's section title game, claimed the league crown.

The Buffs are led at the plate by Ricky Acosta, who owns a .451 batting average and has scored 26 runs to go along with 18 RBIs. Seven other players are hitting above the .300 mark.

"We're playing a No. 3 seed team, but the No. 3 seed in that league is going to be good," Viola said of the VOL. "They all play each other pretty tough.

"Oakdale has got to be the overwhelming favorite to win this thing."

<em>To contact Sports Editor Brian Hamilton, e-mail bhamilton@theunion.com or call 477-4240.</em>