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Bussard a nominee for all-state recognition
Brad led Ceres High to its second straight WAC championship
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Brad Bussard had a productive four-year career with the Bulldogs. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Recent Ceres High grad Brad Bussard was among the nominees for the 35th annual Cal-Hi Sports all-state baseball team.

Bussard developed into one of the Bulldogs' all-time greatest baseball players.
"When people doubt you, you want to prove them wrong," he said.

Brad filled a major role while leading Ceres High to an 84-31-1 overall record, four Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berths and two Western Athletic Conference titles from 2012-15.

The Bulldogs captured their second straight WAC crown (11-1) during the springtime.

Ceres High had a 23-7 overall record and advanced to the semi-final round of the Division-IV playoffs.

Brad, twin brother Brent and Brett Conway quieted a lot of doubters.

Brad, Brent and Brett were promoted to Ceres High's varsity team as freshmen.

"We wanted to prove people wrong," Brad said. "We got the whole team to buy in. We had one common goal instead of individual goals. We left a legacy that will be remembered for years."

A standout hitter, shortstop and pitcher, Bussard won the WAC's Most Valuable Player award.
Bussard batted .433 (39-for-90) from the plate with one homer, three triples, six doubles, 27 RBIs, 37 runs and 19 stolen bases in 27 games.

He had a perfect 9-0 record at pitcher with a 1.30 ERA, four complete games, 48 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 532/3 innings.

Bussard ranked first in the WAC in triples (3), doubles (4), RBIs (19), runs (15), stolen bases (10) and slugging percentage (.700), third in fielding percentage (.953), fifth in batting average (.450) and ninth in on-base percentage (.457).

On the mound, Brad ranked second in league play in wins (5) and complete games (3), and third in ERA (1.18) and strikeouts (34).

"He's the most competitive kid I know," said John Bussard, Brad's father and high-school coach. "He's always been that way."

Bussard will continue his baseball career at NCAA Division-II Holy Names University in Oakland. He received a partial scholarship to the $46,000-a-year college.

"It's a great opportunity," Brad said.