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Bulldogs finish second in WAC play
• CHS softball team qualifies for Sac-Joaquin Section D-III playoffs
Brooklyn Heffernan, Alayna De La Torre and Celeste Leon
Bulldog seniors Brooklyn Heffernan, Alayna De La Torre and Celeste Leon were recognized prior to competing at home for the final time on May 11. - photo by Dale Butler

Ceres High’s softball team closed out the regular season this past week.

The Bulldogs topped the Grace Davis Spartans 13-0 in five innings on Senior Day in Ceres on May 11.

“We did what we were supposed to do,” head coach Mike Corsaut said. “We jumped on them early. We hit the ball all over the place. We played really good defense. We didn’t make any errors.”

Ceres High improved to 19-8 overall and compiled a 12-2 record on its way to a second-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference standings.

The Bulldogs were awarded the 10th seed for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs.

Ceres High will face seventh-seeded/Central California Conference champion Merced (16-6, 11-1) in the opening round.

“We’re playing really good softball right now,” Corsaut said. “We’re excited to get to playoffs.  We’ll see what happens. Merced is always good. We’ll try our best. We can’t make any mistakes.”

Upperclassmen Brooklyn Heffernan, Alayna De La Torre and Celeste Leon were recognized prior to competing at home for the final time this past week.

“There were tears,” Corsaut said. “They mean everything to the program. Brooklyn is a special talent. I’ve coached Alayna and Celeste since seventh grade. They’re great leaders.”

Heffernan improved her pitching record to 14-5.

She allowed no runs and four hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks in five innings.

Heffernan also starred on offense, batting 3-for-3 with two homers, six RBIs and two runs.

De La Torre batted 2-for-2 with one double, one RBI and one run.

Leon batted 2-for-3 with two runs.

Heffernan, De La Torre and Leon accounted for seven of Ceres High’s 13 hits.

“The seniors led us,” Corsaut said.

Bulldog freshman Alizae Cole batted 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs versus the Spartans.

Sophomore Isabela Giraldes batted 2-for-2 with one double, two RBIs and three runs.

Junior Sehren Martinez batted 1-for-3 with one double and one RBI.

Freshman Ava Montesdeoca scored twice.

Freshman Nani Sagapolu knocked in one run.

The Bulldogs won 16 of their last 18 games during the regular season.

“The girls have been dialed in,” Corsaut said. “At one point, we were 3-6.”