Junior Gabriela Bonales will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

A standout hitter/left-fielder on Central Valley High School's varsity softball team since her freshman year, Bonales fractured her right ankle during a base-running drill at practice on April 8.

"It's a huge setback for me," Bonales said. "It's upsetting for everybody. I'm used to being on the field all the time. It sucks not being able to participate. I feel like I let my team down."

Bonales has to wear a walking boot for at least six weeks.

"It's getting better," she said. "But I can't walk on it. I have to use crutches."

Bonales rooted from the dugout in Central Valley's recent losses to Patterson (6-0) on April 21, Livingston (10-9) on April 14 and Ceres High (15-1) on April 12 in Western Athletic Conference play.

Bonales was a WAC honorable-mention selection her junior year.

Gabriela batted .278 with one homer, one triple, two doubles, four RBIs and six runs.

"Losing her was a huge hit," head coach Kristen Ghimenti said. "She has three years of varsity experience. She's a leader on and off the field."

Bryana Lopez replaced Bonales in the outfield.

Lopez was Central Valley's right-fielder.
Adria Robinson, Cheyenne Brincat and Danielle Haro have split playing time at Bryana's old position.

"She (Gabriela) still comes to all the games and roots for the girls," Ghimenti said. "It's good having her in the dugout. That's important."