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CV pounds Pacheco, remains in the hunt for a postseason berth
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Central Valley High School's varsity baseball team slugged its way past first-year Pacheco, 13-3, in Western Athletic Conference play on Saturday in Ceres.

The game was supposed to be played earlier in the week but was rescheduled because of rain.

The Hawks (4-5) earned a season sweep of the 1-9 Panthers. Central Valley, which moved into a tie for fourth place with Los Banos in the WAC standings, trails third-place Patterson by one game. The top three teams in league qualify for the playoffs at the end of the regular season.

"We have an outside chance," Hawks head coach Greg Magni said. "We have three games left. We play two teams we're chasing. We're hoping we make it interesting."

Hawk sophomore Raul Godinez had a standout game on the mound and at the plate.

Godinez tallied eight strikeouts and just one walk while pitching during the six-inning, mercy-rule shortened game. He allowed three hits and six hits.

"It's his second straight impressive outing," Magni said.

Raul batted 3-for-4 from the plate with one RBI and two runs.

Central Valley pounded 17 hits against Pacheco.

Alex Lomeli finished 3-for-5 with one double, two RBIs and three runs.

Ruben Casas finished 2-for-3 with one double, two RBIs and two run.

Cody Chesney finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run.

Michael Ereso finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and one run.

Jorge Alvarez finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs.

Juan Plasencia finished 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run.

Fabian Valencia finished 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

Anthony Amirfar finished 1-for-3 with one run.

Sidney Long scored once.

Central Valley stormed to a 9-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

"Our first nine batters of the game scored," Magni said. "It was pretty impressive. We didn't make our first out until Raul's second at-bat."

Knights 5, Hawks 3

Central Valley lost 5-3 to Downey in a non-league game played in front of Major League Baseball scouts in the rain last Wednesday in Modesto.

The Hawks threatened in the final inning. Central Valley loaded the bases.

Ereso pitched against the Knights. He gave up five runs (four earned) and seven hits with three strikeouts and four walks in six innings.

Valencia led the way on offense with one single, one RBI and one run.

Godinez and Lomeli both singled and scored once.

Casas doubled.

Long, Chesney and Alvarez all singled.

Downey shortstop Devon Gradford, who's peaked the interest of the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, collected one RBI and one run in two at-bats.

Central Valley will host Central Catholic today and play at Los Banos on Friday.

The Hawks' final league opponent is Patterson (May 8).

"I truly don't know what to expect," Magni said. "Hopefully, the right team shows up and plays well."