Central Valley High School's varsity baseball team has improved steadily since its first year of existence in 2007.
The Hawks picked up their biggest win in program history on Tuesday, March 16 when they opened the Valley Oak League season with a 7-4 road win over three-time reigning champion Oakdale.
"As exciting as it was, we have to keep it in perspective," Hawks head coach Greg Magni said. "It's just one game. We have to stay grounded."
Central Valley freshman Ruben Casas batted 2-for-2 from the plate with a double, two RBIs and two runs.
David Dart doubled and plated two runs.
Andy Lomeli singled and scored twice.
Jesse Perea, William Mestas and Chris Moscozo had one run apiece.
Luis Rodriguez added a single.
The Hawks grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
Casas' line-drive single to right field scored Rodriguez and Moscozo.
Dart drove in Casas and Lomeli with a double.
Oakdale rallied with one run in both the third and fourth innings, and two in the fifth to tie it.
Central Valley scored its final three runs in the sixth.
Lomeli and Casas drew back-to-back walks to lead off the inning and advanced when Mestas reached on an error.
Dart followed with a slow roller to third base. Oakdale went for the force out at home and the ball hit Lomeli in the middle of his back. Andy and Ruben both scored on the play.
Greg Guerra had an RBI groundout.
"We took advantage of some walks and errors," Magni said.
Guerra, Central Valley's ace pitcher, went the distance. The right-handed senior allowed four runs, scattered 10 hits and struck out four in seven innings.
"He battled his way out of jams," Magni said. "We played flawless defense behind him. That really helped."
The Mustangs defeated the host Hawks 8-0 on Thursday to earn a series split.
Oakdale's record in VOL play from 2007-09 was 40-2.
The Hawks lost six times to the Mustangs during that span.
"Obviously, we're happy where we're at now," Magni said. "It's a step in the right direction. But it's still early. We have to get ready for the rest of league. Our ultimate goal is to make playoffs."
Central Valley (6-2, 1-1) will play a home-and-away series with Sonora this week. The Wildcats will host the Hawks on Thursday at 4 p.m.
The Hawks picked up their biggest win in program history on Tuesday, March 16 when they opened the Valley Oak League season with a 7-4 road win over three-time reigning champion Oakdale.
"As exciting as it was, we have to keep it in perspective," Hawks head coach Greg Magni said. "It's just one game. We have to stay grounded."
Central Valley freshman Ruben Casas batted 2-for-2 from the plate with a double, two RBIs and two runs.
David Dart doubled and plated two runs.
Andy Lomeli singled and scored twice.
Jesse Perea, William Mestas and Chris Moscozo had one run apiece.
Luis Rodriguez added a single.
The Hawks grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
Casas' line-drive single to right field scored Rodriguez and Moscozo.
Dart drove in Casas and Lomeli with a double.
Oakdale rallied with one run in both the third and fourth innings, and two in the fifth to tie it.
Central Valley scored its final three runs in the sixth.
Lomeli and Casas drew back-to-back walks to lead off the inning and advanced when Mestas reached on an error.
Dart followed with a slow roller to third base. Oakdale went for the force out at home and the ball hit Lomeli in the middle of his back. Andy and Ruben both scored on the play.
Greg Guerra had an RBI groundout.
"We took advantage of some walks and errors," Magni said.
Guerra, Central Valley's ace pitcher, went the distance. The right-handed senior allowed four runs, scattered 10 hits and struck out four in seven innings.
"He battled his way out of jams," Magni said. "We played flawless defense behind him. That really helped."
The Mustangs defeated the host Hawks 8-0 on Thursday to earn a series split.
Oakdale's record in VOL play from 2007-09 was 40-2.
The Hawks lost six times to the Mustangs during that span.
"Obviously, we're happy where we're at now," Magni said. "It's a step in the right direction. But it's still early. We have to get ready for the rest of league. Our ultimate goal is to make playoffs."
Central Valley (6-2, 1-1) will play a home-and-away series with Sonora this week. The Wildcats will host the Hawks on Thursday at 4 p.m.
