Ceres High varsity softball head coach Donnie Donaldson expressed his displeasure and walked back to the dugout.
"That's a brutal call," Donaldson exclaimed.
Los Banos tallied three runs in the first inning following a base umpire mistake and held on for a 6-4 victory on Tuesday, April 24 in Ceres.
The win moved the Tigers into a tie for first place with the Bulldogs (7-2) atop the WAC standings.
"I feel bad for the umpire," Donaldson said. "I don't think he did it on purpose. He was trying to do his best. He just over thought the play."
Los Banos leadoff hitter Taylor Mendez got hit by a pitch, moved to second on a passed ball and appeared to be tagged out by Bulldog third baseman Jessica Ellsworth when she tried to advance on a wild pitch. Ceres High catcher Cierra Hammons made a perfect throw.
Mendez was ruled safe and the Tigers proceeded to build a 3-0 lead.
"I had my glove down before she slid," Ellsworth said.
Added Donaldson: "Jessica was in perfect position."
Ceres High lost despite collecting 11 hits and striking out just once against Los Banos pitcher Taylor Harris.
Laura Story batted 2-for-4 from the plate with three RBIs and one run.
Kassandra Carrillo finished 2-for-3 with one walk and two runs.
Alexis Cummings doubled and scored once.
Ali Lowman had a sac-bunt RBI.
Ellsworth singled twice.
Creek and Broumas doubled and singled, respectively.
Hammons singled and picked off two runners.
The Bulldogs stranded nine runners on base, including three in the bottom of the fifth inning, and one in the sixth and seventh.
"We had our chances," Ellsworth said. "We didn't take advantage of them."
Kaycee pitched a complete game. She allowed five hits with four strikeouts, three walks and two hit batsmen in seven innings.
Los Banos spoiled Ceres High's Senior Day. The Bulldogs will lose six players to graduation, including Creek, Ellsworth, Carrillo, Hammons, Cummings and Christin Ornells.
The Bulldogs' final three WAC opponents are Patterson (May 1), Livingston (May 3) and Central Catholic (May 8).
Ceres High will try to make history.
The Bulldogs won their last league title during the 2005 season.
Ceres High last participated in the playoffs in 2009.
"We control our own destiny," Donaldson said.
"That's a brutal call," Donaldson exclaimed.
Los Banos tallied three runs in the first inning following a base umpire mistake and held on for a 6-4 victory on Tuesday, April 24 in Ceres.
The win moved the Tigers into a tie for first place with the Bulldogs (7-2) atop the WAC standings.
"I feel bad for the umpire," Donaldson said. "I don't think he did it on purpose. He was trying to do his best. He just over thought the play."
Los Banos leadoff hitter Taylor Mendez got hit by a pitch, moved to second on a passed ball and appeared to be tagged out by Bulldog third baseman Jessica Ellsworth when she tried to advance on a wild pitch. Ceres High catcher Cierra Hammons made a perfect throw.
Mendez was ruled safe and the Tigers proceeded to build a 3-0 lead.
"I had my glove down before she slid," Ellsworth said.
Added Donaldson: "Jessica was in perfect position."
Ceres High lost despite collecting 11 hits and striking out just once against Los Banos pitcher Taylor Harris.
Laura Story batted 2-for-4 from the plate with three RBIs and one run.
Kassandra Carrillo finished 2-for-3 with one walk and two runs.
Alexis Cummings doubled and scored once.
Ali Lowman had a sac-bunt RBI.
Ellsworth singled twice.
Creek and Broumas doubled and singled, respectively.
Hammons singled and picked off two runners.
The Bulldogs stranded nine runners on base, including three in the bottom of the fifth inning, and one in the sixth and seventh.
"We had our chances," Ellsworth said. "We didn't take advantage of them."
Kaycee pitched a complete game. She allowed five hits with four strikeouts, three walks and two hit batsmen in seven innings.
Los Banos spoiled Ceres High's Senior Day. The Bulldogs will lose six players to graduation, including Creek, Ellsworth, Carrillo, Hammons, Cummings and Christin Ornells.
The Bulldogs' final three WAC opponents are Patterson (May 1), Livingston (May 3) and Central Catholic (May 8).
Ceres High will try to make history.
The Bulldogs won their last league title during the 2005 season.
Ceres High last participated in the playoffs in 2009.
"We control our own destiny," Donaldson said.
