Ceres High’s baseball team held a players-only meeting following an 0-9 start to the 2022 campaign.

“No coaches were around when we talked,” Bulldogs’ junior pitcher Landyn Hudson said. “We talked about how we needed to focus more at practice. There were three components we needed to improve. Our attitude, effort and discipline.”

Ceres High broke out of a season-long slump this past week.

The Bulldogs improved to 3-10 overall and 3-1 in the Western Athletic Conference standings after sweeping a two-game series against the Beyer Patriots.

“It definitely boosts our confidence going into this week,” Hudson said.

The Bulldogs shut out the Patriots 2-0 on Thursday in Modesto.

Hudson came six outs away from pitching a perfect game.

Beyer collected its lone hit in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Hudson had nine strikeouts and no walks while shutting down the Patriots.

“I had great command of my fastball,” he said. “I was mixing in my curveball. Defense played phenomenal behind me.”

Jorge Gonzalez led the way on offense with one RBI and one run.

Freshman Daniel Davis batted 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Ceres High edged Beyer 8-7 in eight innings on March 22 at Art McRae Field.

The Bulldogs snapped a nine-game losing streak.

“We’re definitely headed in the right direction,” Hudson said. “We’re nowhere near satisfied.”

Tied at 7-7, Isac Cordova scored from third base when Beyer’s catcher dropped a third strike and threw to first as he attempted to register an out during Hudson’s at-bat.

Cordova batted 3-for-4 for the game with one triple, one double, two RBIs and two run.

Gonzalez batted 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

Noel Anaya batted 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

Brandon Garcia batted 1-for-4 with two runs.

Josh Prestridge batted 1-for-5 with one double, one RBI and one run.

Adrian Ontiveros batted 3-for-4 with one run.

Xavier Pompa batted 1-for-4 with one run.

Hudson drove in one run.

Anaya, Ceres High’s starting pitcher, gave up two earned runs and six hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings while earning a no-decision.

Gonzalez earned the win in relief. He allowed four earned runs and five hits with four strikeouts and three walks in three innings.

Hawks swept

Central Valley’s baseball team suffered a pair of losses in Central California Conference play this past week.

The Hawks dropped to 5-7 overall and 1-3 in the CCC standings after losing 9-0 to El Capitan on Friday in Ceres.

The Gauchos improve to 9-3 and 3-1.

Chris Garcia, Jake Olson, Adrian Porras and Edmund Stewart all singled.

El Capitan edged Central Valley 2-1 on Wednesday in Merced.

Garcia earned a no-decision while contributing at pitcher. The freshman southpaw allowed no earned runs and four hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 51/3 innings.

Gabrial Lopez batted 1-for-1 with one double and one run.

Alan Lopez drove in one run.

Garret Garcia doubled.

Olson, Chris Garcia and Samuel Wilson all singled.