Ceres High’s softball program completed its quest to three-peat as Western Athletic Conference champions this past week.

The Bulldogs won a share of their third consecutive league title after besting the first-place Beyer Patriots and fourth-place Central Valley Hawks.

Ceres High improved to 18-9 on the season.

The Bulldogs, Patriots and Livingston Wolves compiled identical 12-2 records in WAC play.

Ceres High won its final eight league games.

“I’m really impressed with how the girls kept a positive mindset,” first-year head coach Josie Heacox said. “They didn’t let the losses (to Beyer and Livingston) determine their season. Those losses lit their fire. It made them more hungry to beat those teams. They stayed optimistic. They knew what they wanted. They wanted redemption.”

“We played with a lot of energy throughout the season,” said pitcher Alizae Cole. “We worked hard. We’re a little irritated we have to share it (the league title). But we’re grateful we placed first. Our good bond really helped us throughout the year. We all connected with each other.”

“We’re not done,” Heacox added. “We want to get past the first round of playoffs.”

Ceres High beat Beyer 7-1 on Senior Day on April 28.

“It gave me goosebumps,” Heacox said. “Their love for the game showed that day. I was shocked it was that much of a difference. I was expecting it to be a pitcher’s duel.”

The Bulldogs avenged a 2-1 loss versus Utah State-bound pitcher Jordan Lish and the Patriots.

“We had a lot of confidence going into the game,” Cole stated. “It was our Senior Night. We had to win. We couldn’t lose to them again. We were motivated.”

Cole, Ava Montesdeoca, Nani Sagapolu, Kylie Bond, Tatianna Ortiz and Madeline Schultz, Ceres High’s six seniors, were recognized prior to the start of their final home game.

“They left their mark on the field and program,” Heacox said. 

Bond batted 1-for-4 from the plate with one home run, three RBIs and one run versus Beyer.

She hit a 3-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning.

“That ignited everything,” Heacox said. 

Ceres High collected 10 hits against Lish.

Bella Bravo batted 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs.

Montesdeoca batted 2-for-3 with two runs.

Cole batted 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

Sagapolu batted 1-for-4 with one run.

Cole totaled seven strikeouts and four strikeouts at pitcher.

She allowed one run and five hits in seven innings.

“She’s been the glue of the team,” Heacox said. 

Ceres High earned a two-game sweep of crosstown-rival Central Valley with a 19-3 road victory on April 30.

The Bulldogs built a commanding 9-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

“You got to respect that program,” Heacox said. “They got good coaching. I was surprised we scored that many runs. The girls passed the bat.”

Cole improved her pitching record to 10-4.

She gave up three runs and four hits with three strikeouts and one walk in five innings.

Ceres High batted .618 from the plate as a team. The Bulldogs totaled 21 hits.

Cole batted 3-for-4 with three doubles, one RBI and one run.

Montesdeoca batted 3-for-4 with one homer, four RBIs and three runs.

Amaia Pritchett batted 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs.

Bravo batted 4-for-5 with one double, two RBIs and two runs.