A newcomer to the Central California Conference, Central Valley’s varsity baseball team secured a split during the opening week of league play.

“It’s a good start for us,” head coach Derrick Goblirsch said. “It’s been a while since we won our first league game in any conference. This is big for our confidence.”

The Hawks secured their first-ever CCC win with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Cougars in extra innings on March 19 in Ceres.

Alex Solis collected the winning hit in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Sophomore Angel Vega scored from third base on Solis’ line-drive single to left field.

“It’s a great feeling,” Solis said while talking about delivering in the clutch. “I felt confident going up to hit. I wasn’t nervous. I didn’t try to do too much.” 

Solis accounted for two of Central Valley’s nine hits.

Vega batted 1-for-3 with two runs.

Sophomore Adrian Garcia batted 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Leo Lujan batted 2-for-4 with one double and one run.

Freshman Gabrial Lopez batted 1-for-4 with one run.

Ryan Palecek batted 2-for-3.

Central Valley sophomore pitcher Sergio Solis picked up the win in relief of Lopez.

Solis gave up no runs and one hit with no strikeouts and one walk in one inning.

Lopez allowed three unearned runs and six hits with three strikeouts and four walks over five inning.

Central Valley lost 5-4 at Golden Valley on Thursday.

The Hawks scored two runs in each of the final two innings to cut the deficit to one.

“We did really well as a team,” Alex Solis said. “It was important for us to show we can compete with the teams in the CCC. It gives us confidence.”

Central Valley totaled eight hits.

Alex Solis batted 2-for-3 with one homer, two RBIs and one run.

Sophomore Isaiah Hidalgo batted 1-for-3 with one triple and one run.

Adrian Garcia batted 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Lopez batted 1-for-3 with one run.

Sergio Solis batted 1-for-4 with one run.

Alex Solis earned a no-decision at pitcher.

He surrendered one earned run and six hits with three strikeouts and five walks in six innings.

The Hawks made four errors on defense.

Central Valley will face Atwater twice this week.

The Hawks will host the Falcons this Thursday at 4 p.m.

Central Valley (7-6, 1-1) has already matched last year’s win total.

“We’re just trying to get better each game,” Goblirsch added.