Ceres High's varsity baseball team slugged its way past East Union, 14-13, on Thursday at Art McRae Field.
The victory helped the Bulldogs salvage a split with the Lancers, who won Game 1 of the Valley Oak League series via the mercy rule (15-3) on Tuesday, April 28 in Manteca.
"They took it personal," Ceres High coach Julio Marquez said. "They didn't get down on themselves. That's been their problem all season."
The Bulldogs also moved into a fifth-place tie with East Union in the conference standings. Both teams have identical 5-7 records.
Ceres High squandered a six-run lead before rallying during Game 2.
Sophomore pitcher Tyler Cummings evened the score at 13-all with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Senior catcher Martino Bertolotti plated the game-winning run in the eighth inning with a two-strike, two-out single to right-center field.
"He's been one of our most consistent hitters all season," Marquez said. "Everyone was excited."
Ceres totaled 16 hits on offense.
Bertolotti doubled, singled and drove in two runs.
Grant Hurst batted 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Dustin Baisdon went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Robert Cope collected two hits and a pair of RBIs.
Matt Cardelli added two hits in four at-bats.
Ceres High will close out the VOL season with a two-game series against Central Valley (6-6 VOL).
The Hawks will play host to the Bulldogs on Thursday at 4 p.m.
The first game was played at Ceres High School on Tuesday and results were unavailable before press time.
The victory helped the Bulldogs salvage a split with the Lancers, who won Game 1 of the Valley Oak League series via the mercy rule (15-3) on Tuesday, April 28 in Manteca.
"They took it personal," Ceres High coach Julio Marquez said. "They didn't get down on themselves. That's been their problem all season."
The Bulldogs also moved into a fifth-place tie with East Union in the conference standings. Both teams have identical 5-7 records.
Ceres High squandered a six-run lead before rallying during Game 2.
Sophomore pitcher Tyler Cummings evened the score at 13-all with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Senior catcher Martino Bertolotti plated the game-winning run in the eighth inning with a two-strike, two-out single to right-center field.
"He's been one of our most consistent hitters all season," Marquez said. "Everyone was excited."
Ceres totaled 16 hits on offense.
Bertolotti doubled, singled and drove in two runs.
Grant Hurst batted 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Dustin Baisdon went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Robert Cope collected two hits and a pair of RBIs.
Matt Cardelli added two hits in four at-bats.
Ceres High will close out the VOL season with a two-game series against Central Valley (6-6 VOL).
The Hawks will play host to the Bulldogs on Thursday at 4 p.m.
The first game was played at Ceres High School on Tuesday and results were unavailable before press time.
