The long-awaited rematch between Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s softball teams took place this past week.
The crosstown rivals battled for bragging rights, the Western Athletic Conference title and Sac-Joaquin Section playoff seeding on the final day of the regular season.
Courtesy-runner Sophia Alcarez scored from third base on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth inning, setting off a wild celebration near home plate as the Bulldogs exacted revenge with a 9-8 home win over the Hawks on May 6.
“Our goal was right in front of us,” Ceres High head coach Marcos Duran stated. “We were fortunate enough to get the job done.”
“You couldn’t have asked for a better high-school softball game,” Central Valley leader Jimmy Bates said. “The environment was incredible. Credit to both of the teams. Our girls competed their tails off. We just came up a little short.”
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 17-6-1 overall and finished first in the WAC with a 13-1-0 record.
Ceres High claimed its third consecutive conference crown.
The Bulldogs reeled off seven straight victories after losing 3-2 to the Hawks on April 15.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Duran said. “They never gave up. They stuck to the plan. The focus has been the same all year. They believed in the goal and their abilities.”
With the loss, the Hawks dropped to 15-10-0 overall and placed second in the conference standings with a 12-2-0 mark.
Central Valley won its first 12 league games prior to closing out the regular season with back-to-back losses.
“I’m really proud of our girls,” Bates said. “We put ourselves in a good position. We knew what we were playing for. We knew it was going to be a tough week. We didn’t quite have it. We had some costly mistakes. It’s been a long season. We’ve played a lot of games. It’s hard to have energy and intensity every single day.”
Ceres High’s Lizzie Figueroa pitched a complete game.
Figueroa (8-3) gave up six earned runs and 14 hits with three strikeouts and three walks in nine innings.
“She pitched well after the first inning,” Duran said. “She settled in. She was a gamer. She was gutsy.”
“We did a really good job competing against her (Figueroa),” Bates said.
Figueroa also helped her own cause by batting 2-for-5 on offense with one RBI.
Bella Bravo batted 3-for-3 with three doubles, one RBI and three runs.
Briona Bravo batted 2-for-4 with one double, two RBIs and two runs.
Alcarez batted 0-for-2 with two runs.
Gabby Cole batted 2-for-5 with one run.
Kyleigh Robinson batted 1-for-4 with one RBI.
Amaia Pritchett batted 1-for-4 with one run.
Gabby Ortiz batted 1-for-5 with one RBI.
“The hitting was contagious,” Duran said. “Everybody contributed.”
Central Valley relied on both of its pitcher during the rivalry game, including Gabriela Delatorre and Brooklynn Steeley.
Delatorre (6-3) allowed two earned runs and three hits with no strikeouts and two walks in 32/3 innings.
Steeley yielded seven runs and nine hits with one strikeout and two walks in five innings.
Steeley and Delatorre also contributed on offense.
Steeley batted 3-for-5 with one double and three RBIs.
Delatorre batted 3-for-5 with one double, one RBI and two runs.
Abigail Krauss batted 2-for-4 with one double, one RBI and one run.
Madelyn Morales batted 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run.
Reylena Herrera batted 1-for-4 with one double and two runs.
Monster Prudhel batted 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Selah Chesney batted 1-for-5 with one double and one run.
Selene Valencia batted 1-for-5 with one RBI.
Alayah Villa scored once.
Both teams overcame deficits.
Ceres High fell behind 4-0 in the top of the first inning.
Central Valley trailed 7-5 through five innings.
Tied at 7-7, Krauss singled and scored from second on Valencia’s two-out hit to give the Hawks a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning.
“It was a clutch hit,” Bates said.
Down to their final three outs, the Bulldogs scored a pair of runs to complete the comeback.
Briona Bravo singled, moved to third on older sister Bella Bravo’s third double of the game and scored on Robinson’s infield groundball.
Sophia Alcarez, who entered the contest as courtesy runner in place of Robinson, raced home on a passed ball to secure the victory in thrilling fashion.
Bella Bravo, Ceres High’s rightfielder, also threw out two Central Valley runners at second base earlier in the game.
“It was a really great way to end the regular season,” Duran said. “We’re two equally-matched teams. I’m so proud of this team for continuing to fight. There’s a lot of pressure being the head coach of this program. This program has won a lot. I’m glad I get to be a part of it.”
“Obviously, we’re all heartbroken,” Bates stated. “It’s a learning lesson. We don’t want to ever feel this feeling again.”
“Coach Bates has a talented bunch at CV,” Duran added.
Figueroa, Ortiz, Pritchett, Robinson, Vierra and Bella Bravo won their final regular-season home game.
The six seniors were honored before the contest.
Figueroa, Ortiz, Pritchett, Robinson, Vierra and Bella Bravo helped Ceres High improve its all-time head-to-head record versus Central Valley to 31-2.
“They brought a lot of experience and confidence to the team,” Duran said.
Ceres High players, coaches and family members celebrated at Legends Sports Bar & Grill following last week’s hard-fought win against Central Valley.
“The parents planned it, win or lose,” Duran said.
“It’s a memory that is not going to go away,” he added while talking about the WAC-title clinching victory.
