Ceres High’s varsity baseball program had four players earn honors during the Western Athletic Conference year-end head coaches’ meeting on May 7 at Dos Compadres Taqueria & Cantina in Modesto.

“You always like to see other coaches recognize the work your kids put in,” Bulldogs’ leader Clinton Goblirsch said.

Ceres High senior Brock DeWitt was named to the WAC First Team for the second year in a row.

He was a second-team pick as a sophomore.

“It’s a good feeling being one of the top players in the league,” DeWitt said. “Hard work pays off.”

DeWitt garnered recognition for his play at shortstop, second base and third base, respectively, the past three seasons. He also starred on offense.

“That tells you everything you need to know about the kid,” Goblirsch said. “He’s that talented. Being able to juggle different positions isn’t easy. He was able to handle it while maintaining a leadership role.”

 “It’s been fun being able to see the field from all the different angles,” DeWitt said. “I’ve always been a utility player since I was a kid.”

DeWitt batted .387 from the plate with one triple, 10 doubles, 36 hits, 14 RBIs, 29 runs and eight stolen bases this spring. He had an on-base percentage of .482.

He posted a batting average of .353 with 13 doubles, two triples, 96 hits, 39 RBIs, 82 runs and 35 stolen bases in 91 career games.

“It’s been a fun ride the last four years,” said DeWitt, who helped lead the Bulldogs to playoff berths in 2019 and 2017.

DeWitt was a model student-athlete.

“He balances a full schedule and manages to be successful in school, baseball and work,” Goblirsch said. “It was a pleasure to coach him for four years. He definitely set the foundation for what we want and expect from a Bulldog player. He was willing to play wherever we needed him. He was a yes-coach kid.”

DeWitt worked at KFC for a year-and-a-half before being hired by Ten Pin Fun Center a month ago.

“During baseball season, I only had time to eat, shower and do my homework late at night after work,” he said. “It’s been tiring but it’s just something I had to do.”

 Bulldog teammates Josh Pernetti, Justin Prestridge and Brock Moore were all named to the WAC Second Team.

Pernetti, a junior catcher, was also a second-team pick in 2018.

He batted .290 with three homers, two doubles, 21 RBIs and 19 runs this season.

“He controlled our pitching staff,” Goblirsch said. “He called his own pitches for the second year in a row. He has a high baseball IQ. He knows what to do to keep kids off-balance.”

Prestridge, a junior utility player, batted .326 with two doubles, 14 RBIs and 19 runs.

He posted a 4-6 record at pitcher with a 3.90 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 462/3 innings.

 “He was a vital part of our team,” Goblirsch said. “He was consistent.”

Moore, a senior first baseman, batted .280 with one homer, three doubles, 21 RBIs and 16 runs.

“His approach at the plate was better this year,” Goblirsch said. “That really paid off.”

DeWitt, Pernetti, Prestridge and Moore helped lead Ceres High to a third-place finish (10-4) in the 2019 WAC standings.