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CV Hawks no longer winless in softball
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Central Valley High School's varsity softball team surpassed its conference win total from a season ago this past week.

The Hawks ended a 12-game losing streak dating back to 2011 with an 8-7 victory over first-year Pacheco on Tuesday, March 27 in Ceres.

"The girls are excited but they know they could have done better," Central Valley head coach Kristen Ghimenti said. "It shouldn't have had to go to extra innings. We almost gave it away."

The CV Hawks (3-8 overall, 1-3 Western Athletic Conference) won despite squandering a 6-2 lead in the final inning. Central Valley evened the score at 7-all in the seventh and finished off the Panthers in the eighth.

Katie Carpenter collected the game-winning hit. The senior catcher drove in Sarah McElroy with a single to center.

"Katie's been one of the players we can count on," Ghimenti said. "She's becoming more of a vocal leader as the season goes on. That was one of our goals for her."

McElroy, Central Valley's starting pitcher, scattered eight hits and tallied eight strikeouts. She also singled on offense.

"Overall, I was impressed with her performance," Ghimenti said. "She did a great job."

Hawk freshman Lindsey Alexander reached base three times on singles.

Malynda Lomeli batted 2-for-3 with one triple and one RBI.

Savannah Garza singled twice and plated one run.

Vanessa Dias knocked in a run.

Lexy Cordova, Jasmine Henson and freshman Lynaya Lerma all singled.

The Hawks and Panthers had a combined record of 0-5 in WAC play prior to facing off.

Varsity newcomer Pacheco almost secured its first conference win in program history. The Hawks avoided the record books.

"It wasn't even mentioned (leading up to the game)," Ghimenti said. "I didn't want to put any added pressure on the girls. I just wanted them to play well."

Central Valley suffered a 14-0 loss at Central Catholic on Thursday.

The Hawks mustered just one hit and struck out 12 times on offense. McElroy singled.

Central Valley allowed eight runs in the first inning.

Cordova and McElroy both pitched for the Hawks.

Sarah yielded 10 runs, surrendered seven hits and struck out five in four innings.

Lexy allowed four runs and three hits in one inning.

The Hawks will play host to Patterson tomorrow at 4 p.m.