Central Valley's varsity softball team tied a program record for overall wins and doubled its Western Athletic Conference victory total under the guidance of Regina Selfridge and Brandy Cordova this spring.
The 2017 Hawks also improved in other area as well compared to last season.
"The girls worked hard in practice, took our instructions to heart, and tried to implement the changes on the field," Selfridge said. "The greatest change, I think though, came from the girls themselves. The girls recognized they were talented, they recognized they had the potential to do well this season, and they soon realized we had a chance of making playoffs. We improved almost every game we played when we faced our (WAC) opponents for the second time with the exception of Pacheco and Patterson."
Central Valley posted a team batting average of .286, up 23 points from a year ago.
The Hawks outscored their opponents, 184-141. Central Valley totaled 55 runs in Western Athletic Conference play.
Central Valley was outscored 59-190 in 2016, including 27-140 in league.
The Hawks had a host of contributors on offense, including Scarlett Lloyd, Brianna Quiroz, Nayeli Pelayo, Kaydee Peterman, Gaby Bonales, Megan McElroy, Giuliana Gutierrez, Autianna Baxter, Lizbeth Silva, Alyssa Maeyama and Cheyenne Brincat.
Lloyd (Fr.) batted .516 with three homers, two doubles, 10 RBIs, 13 runs and four stolen bases during the WAC season.
Quiroz (So.) batted .457 with one double, eight RBIs and five runs.
Pelayo (Jr.) batted .353 with one triple, four doubles, eight RBIs, eight runs and five stolen bases.
Peterman (Fr.) collected two RBIs, three runs and nine stolen bases.
Bonales (Sr.) collected two doubles, three RBIs, six runs and six stolen bases.
McElroy (So.) collected one double, two RBIs and four runs.
Gutierrez (Fr.) collected one RBI and six runs.
Baxter (Jr.) collected one double, one RBI, five runs and eight stolen bases.
Silva (Fr.) collected one RBI and three runs.
Maeyama (So.) collected one triple, one RBI and two runs.
Brincat (Sr.) singled.
The Hawks totaled 30 errors on defense, nine fewer than last year.
Lloyd provided improved play at pitcher. She totaled 54 strikeouts and just 11 walks while logging 59 innings of work in conference play.
The Hawks had an overall record of 10-13 this season.
Central Valley (2-8) placed fourth in the WAC standings.
The Hawks went 2-16-1 and tied for last place (1-11) last spring.
"We were hoping to make playoffs this year, but knew that if we didn't, we would use it as a stepping stone for next year," Selfridge said. "I am incredibly proud of how hard our girls have worked this season. We have improved greatly and are no longer to be taken lightly."
