Central Valley High School's varsity softball program ended a Valley Oak League drought on Thursday, winning for the first time in its two-year history with a 6-2 victory over Sonora at Standard Park.
The victory snapped the Hawks' 19-game losing streak.
"It's a relief to finally have a win in league," Central Valley head coach Veronica Giddens said. "We're getting better."
"We're happy we finally won a game because we're tired of losing," Hawks' No. 5 hitter and rightfielder Melissa Gonzales said.
"It's exciting," Central Valley pitcher Alicia Diaz said. "Now we can actually say we won a game."
The two teams entered the game tied for last place in league.
With the win, Central Valley moved into seventh place with a 1-5 record. Sonora, which squandered a three-run lead in losing to second-place Ceres High on April 8, remained winless (0-6).
The Hawks turned in a complete performance against the Wildcats.
Central Valley totaled 10 hits off Sonora pitcher Carson Craven.
Freshman Alyssa Long homered and singled.
Jayme Sprague and Jasmin Castillo both finished 2-for-3 from the plate.
Gonzales, Kassandra Yori, Jessica Berndt and freshman Vicki Ochoa all singled.
"We've been hitting the ball pretty well," Giddens said.
Ochoa, Central Valley's starting pitcher, gave up two runs and four hits with three strikeouts in 31/3 innings.
Alicia Diaz tossed 32/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Hawks. The right-handed senior allowed one hit and fanned five. She replaced Ochoa in the bottom of the fourth and got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam.
Central Valley made just one error on defense, while Sonora committed five.
The Hawks led 3-2 heading into the fifth inning.
Long, Central Valley's No. 2 hitter, blasted a solo homer over the centerfield fence in the top of the first inning.
Sprague drove home Gonzales and Berndt with a single in the second inning.
Ochoa scored on a fielder's choice by Gonzales in the sixth inning.
Long had a sacrifice fly and Castillo added an RBI single in the seventh inning to conclude the scoring.
Central Valley beat Sonora despite playing shorthanded. Senior outfielder Crystal Gutierrez missed the game to participate in the "Every 15 Minutes" underage drinking prevention and awareness program that was staged in Ceres Thursday and Friday.
The victory snapped the Hawks' 19-game losing streak.
"It's a relief to finally have a win in league," Central Valley head coach Veronica Giddens said. "We're getting better."
"We're happy we finally won a game because we're tired of losing," Hawks' No. 5 hitter and rightfielder Melissa Gonzales said.
"It's exciting," Central Valley pitcher Alicia Diaz said. "Now we can actually say we won a game."
The two teams entered the game tied for last place in league.
With the win, Central Valley moved into seventh place with a 1-5 record. Sonora, which squandered a three-run lead in losing to second-place Ceres High on April 8, remained winless (0-6).
The Hawks turned in a complete performance against the Wildcats.
Central Valley totaled 10 hits off Sonora pitcher Carson Craven.
Freshman Alyssa Long homered and singled.
Jayme Sprague and Jasmin Castillo both finished 2-for-3 from the plate.
Gonzales, Kassandra Yori, Jessica Berndt and freshman Vicki Ochoa all singled.
"We've been hitting the ball pretty well," Giddens said.
Ochoa, Central Valley's starting pitcher, gave up two runs and four hits with three strikeouts in 31/3 innings.
Alicia Diaz tossed 32/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Hawks. The right-handed senior allowed one hit and fanned five. She replaced Ochoa in the bottom of the fourth and got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam.
Central Valley made just one error on defense, while Sonora committed five.
The Hawks led 3-2 heading into the fifth inning.
Long, Central Valley's No. 2 hitter, blasted a solo homer over the centerfield fence in the top of the first inning.
Sprague drove home Gonzales and Berndt with a single in the second inning.
Ochoa scored on a fielder's choice by Gonzales in the sixth inning.
Long had a sacrifice fly and Castillo added an RBI single in the seventh inning to conclude the scoring.
Central Valley beat Sonora despite playing shorthanded. Senior outfielder Crystal Gutierrez missed the game to participate in the "Every 15 Minutes" underage drinking prevention and awareness program that was staged in Ceres Thursday and Friday.
