Ceres High School's varsity baseball team swept East Union last week to keep its slim postseason hopes alive.
The Bulldogs (9-5) will be awarded the Valley Oak League's third and final berth if they beat Central Valley twice this week and heavily-favored Manteca (10-4) drops its final two games to Weston Ranch.
Ceres High last participated in the playoffs in 2002.
"The kids know it's pretty unlikely, but if something happens miraculously and we manage to get in, that's fantastic," Bulldogs head coach Bret Durossette said. "We're not going to hang our heads if we don't."
Ceres High beat host East Union in extra innings on Thursday despite blowing a 7-1 lead.
Chad Atchison collected a two-strike, two-run double off the right-field wall with two outs in the top of the eighth inning to propel the Bulldogs to a 10-8 victory.
Atchison's clutch hit came after Brent Ward walked and Matt Cardelli singled.
Freshman pitcher Hayden Turpin picked up the win in relief.
Turpin induced a weak infield pop out by East Union's cleanup batter with two runners on base and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Hayden retired the Lancers' No. 5, 6 and 7 batters in order to end the game.
"He did a great job," Durossette said. "He mixed up his pitches really well."
Tyler Cummings, Ceres High's ace pitcher, earned a no-decision. The hard-throwing junior scattered 12 hits, surrendered eight runs and struck out seven in 62/3 innings.
The Bulldogs edged the Lancers 8-7 on Tuesday, May 4 at Art McRae Field.
Ceres High competed short-handed as Cummings and senior shortstop Josh Edwards missed the game due to another commitment. They participated in the "Every 15 Minutes" program, a nationwide campaign that raises awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.
"We still found a way to win," Durossette said.
Dustin Baisdon was the winning pitcher. He gave up two runs and six hits with three strikeouts in four innings. He exited the game with his team leading 7-2.
Baisdon also batted 2-for-2 from the plate with one RBI and two runs scored.
Ward had a double, two singles, two RBIs and one run in three at-bats.
Mark Schwark singled and drove in two runs.
Turpin, Atchison, Cardelli, Nick Welsh and Jr. Moniz all scored.
Ceres High will play host to Central Valley on Thursday at 4 p.m.
"It's going to be interesting," Durossette said. "They're a well-coached team. I hope we prepare our guys better than they do."
The Bulldogs have already clinched a winning season, just their fourth since 2002.
"The program is up and running," Durossette said. "Now, it's just a matter of maintaining it. I'm lucky enough to have some good baseball players and coaches."
The Bulldogs (9-5) will be awarded the Valley Oak League's third and final berth if they beat Central Valley twice this week and heavily-favored Manteca (10-4) drops its final two games to Weston Ranch.
Ceres High last participated in the playoffs in 2002.
"The kids know it's pretty unlikely, but if something happens miraculously and we manage to get in, that's fantastic," Bulldogs head coach Bret Durossette said. "We're not going to hang our heads if we don't."
Ceres High beat host East Union in extra innings on Thursday despite blowing a 7-1 lead.
Chad Atchison collected a two-strike, two-run double off the right-field wall with two outs in the top of the eighth inning to propel the Bulldogs to a 10-8 victory.
Atchison's clutch hit came after Brent Ward walked and Matt Cardelli singled.
Freshman pitcher Hayden Turpin picked up the win in relief.
Turpin induced a weak infield pop out by East Union's cleanup batter with two runners on base and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Hayden retired the Lancers' No. 5, 6 and 7 batters in order to end the game.
"He did a great job," Durossette said. "He mixed up his pitches really well."
Tyler Cummings, Ceres High's ace pitcher, earned a no-decision. The hard-throwing junior scattered 12 hits, surrendered eight runs and struck out seven in 62/3 innings.
The Bulldogs edged the Lancers 8-7 on Tuesday, May 4 at Art McRae Field.
Ceres High competed short-handed as Cummings and senior shortstop Josh Edwards missed the game due to another commitment. They participated in the "Every 15 Minutes" program, a nationwide campaign that raises awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.
"We still found a way to win," Durossette said.
Dustin Baisdon was the winning pitcher. He gave up two runs and six hits with three strikeouts in four innings. He exited the game with his team leading 7-2.
Baisdon also batted 2-for-2 from the plate with one RBI and two runs scored.
Ward had a double, two singles, two RBIs and one run in three at-bats.
Mark Schwark singled and drove in two runs.
Turpin, Atchison, Cardelli, Nick Welsh and Jr. Moniz all scored.
Ceres High will play host to Central Valley on Thursday at 4 p.m.
"It's going to be interesting," Durossette said. "They're a well-coached team. I hope we prepare our guys better than they do."
The Bulldogs have already clinched a winning season, just their fourth since 2002.
"The program is up and running," Durossette said. "Now, it's just a matter of maintaining it. I'm lucky enough to have some good baseball players and coaches."
