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CV earns split with Wildcats
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In the Valley Oak League opener of its two-game series with Sonora on Wednesday, Central Valley High School's varsity baseball team rallied for a 2-1 victory.

"Somehow, we found a way to win," Hawks head coach Greg Magni said.

The Hawks managed to win despite batting just 2-for-21 from the plate against the Wildcats' pitching staff. Sonora starter Christian Grossi gave up one run and two hits over five innings. He struck out eight and walked two. Relief pitcher Manuel Espino, who was tagged with the loss due to several blunders by his defense, also yielded one unearned run. He tallied one walk.

Central Valley broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning. William Mestas reached first base on an error, moved to second on a balk, stole third and came home on an errant throw to third.

Hawks pitcher Martin Gomez turned in yet another stellar performance to earn the victory. The right-handed junior moved to 3-0 on the year after surrendering one run and scattering seven hits with nine strikeouts.

"He pitched out of two or three jams," Magni said. "He had some big strikeouts. We needed every bit of it."

Adrian Sandoval and Rick Rogers accounted for Central Valley's two hits. Mestas scored a run and collected an RBI. Luis Rodriguez scored once.

Sonora salvaged a split with a 15-0 victory over Central Valley on Thursday at Bev Barron Field.

The Hawks were no-hit by Dylan Coffin, who fanned eight batters and walked two in the five-inning, mercy-rule contest.

"We didn't do anything right," Magni said. "It was just one of those days."

Sonora improved to 7-4 overall, 1-1 in conference play.

Central Valley dropped to 5-5 overall, 1-1 in league.

"We've already matched last season's win total," Magni said. "At the same time, we expect a lot more."