Ceres High's varsity softball team has reeled off three straight wins since Los Banos snapped its 15-game unbeaten streak in Western Athletic Conference play.
"I was pretty confident we'd bounce back," Bulldogs head coach Angela Durossette said.
Host Ceres High knocked off Baylor-bound Gia Rodoni and Pacheco 8-1 on March 31.
Rodoni scattered nine hits, surrendered eight runs (three earned), struck out 12 and walked one in six innings.
"Knowing we were going to face her, we set our pitching machine as high as it could go at practice two days prior to the game," Durossette said. "We were prepared."
The Bulldogs had multiple contributors on offense.
Nicole Bates batted 4-for-4 from the plate with three doubles, two RBIs and four runs.
Ariel Knights batted 1-for-3 with one triple, one RBI and one run.
Rayohna Sagapolu batted 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Mahlena O'Neal collected two RBIs.
"We executed when we had runners in scoring position, which is really important," Durossette said.
Ceres High also played flawless defense as it committed no errors.
Sagapolu allowed just one run and three hits with seven strikeouts and one walk while starring at pitcher.
Ceres High collected nine hits during its 5-1 win over visiting Patterson on Thursday.
The Bulldogs routed the Tigers 8-0 on the road earlier this season.
O'Neal batted 2-for-4 from the plate with one triple and two RBIs.
Sagapolu batted 1-for-4 with one double, one RBI and two runs.
Bates batted 2-for-4 with two runs.
Sabrina Baisdon and Mackenzie Veuve both batted 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Ceres High pitcher Callie Nunes surrendered one run and three hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks in seven innings.
The first-place Bulldogs (14-4, 6-1) and Panthers (9-10, 6-1) have identical records in WAC play.
Ceres High and Pacheco both hold a one-game lead over Second-place Los Banos (7-11, 5-2) in the conference standings. "We still have five games left in league and need to finish strong," Durossette said. "Everybody has to play well in order for us to win."
