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Ceres High’s DeWitt, Pernetti receive all-conference accolades
Josh Pernetti
A newcomer to Ceres High’s varsity baseball team, sophomore Josh Pernetti led the Western Athletic Conference in homers, triples, doubles, RBIs and slugging percentage. - photo by DALE BUTLER/Courier photo
DALE BUTLER /The Courier
Courier staff writer
Updated: May 30, 2018, 2:41 p.m.

Sophomore catcher Josh Pernetti had a productive first full season of varsity baseball with Ceres High this spring.


Junior Bulldog infielder Brock DeWitt filled a key role for the third year in a row.


Pernetti and DeWitt were both recognized during the Western Athletic Conference year-end coaches’ meeting earlier this month in Livingston.


“Both of them performed really well in league,” Ceres High head coach Clinton Goblirsch said. 


Pernetti, who gained experience in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs with the Bulldogs as a freshman, was named to the WAC Second Team.


“As a young guy, you never know how they’ll adjust to the varsity level,” Goblirsch said. “He (Josh) was very productive. He capitalized on the opportunities whenever we got runners in scoring position. He was able to minimize his strikeouts as well. He did a good job of being patient. We’re looking forward to bigger things from him next year.”


Added Pernetti: “I still have room to improve.”


Josh ranked first in the WAC in homers (2), triples (1), doubles (5), RBIs (13) and slugging percentage (.821), second in walks (7), third in hits (10), runs (8) and on-base percentage (.500), and fifth in batting average (.357).


“I’m glad to be recognized for the season I had,” Pernetti said. “I worked hard and focused when I needed to. I think I could have done better. Once I got comfortable, I had the right mindset of thinking nobody could beat me. That’s what you have to do.”


DeWitt, a third-year varsity player, was a first-team selection.


He hit leadoff for the Bulldogs.


Brock’s main position on defense was second base.


He also logged playing time at third base.


“He’s one of our team captains,” Goblirsch said. “He leads on the field. He’s very versatile. Defensively, he has great hands and feet.”


DeWitt ranked second in the WAC in runs (11), stolen bases (4) and walks (7), third in hits (9) and on-base percentage (.500), fourth in doubles (4), fifth in RBIs (5), and seventh in batting average (.321), and 12th in slugging percentage (.357).


Ceres High (2-8) had the fifth-best record in the WAC standings.