Josie Heacox and her coaching staff remained upbeat following the fourth-seeded Ceres High softball team’s 10-8 home upset loss to the 13th-seeded Los Banos Tigers in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Playoffs on May 14.
“As coaches, we focused on all the positives and growth they had throughout the season,” said Heacox, first-year leader of the Bulldogs.
Ceres High amassed an 18-10 overall record, claimed its third consecutive Western Athletic Conference title and participated in the playoffs for the fifth time in six years this spring.
No playoffs were held in 2019-20 due to safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Los Banos compiled a 12-15 overall record, placed fourth in the Central California Conference and reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
The Bulldogs avenged a pair of losses while finishing in a three-way tie for first place in the WAC with Beyer and Livingston during the regular season.
“I’m proud of these girls,” Heacox said. “They won league again. They had to fight for it.”
Ceres High faced a familiar opponent in the opening round of the playoffs this year.
Los Banos previously competed in the WAC before moving to the Central California Conference in 2024-25 as part of the section’s league realignment plan.
The Bulldogs and Tigers took first and second, respectively, in the WAC standings a season ago.
“You respect every team. Any outcome can happen. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our time. I’m going to tip my cap to them. They took advantage of our mistakes. The errors and walks did cost us. I’m hoping we learn from that and use it for fuel next year.”
Cal State Northridge commit Alizae Cole (10-4) made her final start at pitcher for Ceres High.
She allowed four earned runs and four hits with 11 strikeouts and seven walks in seven innings.
She exited the contest after throwing her 165th pitch.
Cole limited Los Banos to a team-batting average of .167.
“She knew how important the game was. She showed a lot of fight. She hung in there. She battled.”
The Bulldogs posted a team-batting average of .379 versus the Tigers.
Senior Ava Montesdeoca batted 2-for-4 from the plate with one triple, two RBIs and two runs.
Junior Bella Bravo 2-for-4 with one double, one RBI and one run.
Sophomore Emma Johnson batted 2-for-3 with one double and one RBI.
Junior Elizabeth Figueroa batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Junior Gabriela Ortiz batted 1-for-1 with one run.
Senior Kylie Bond and junior Amaia Pritchett both batted 1-for-3 with one run.
Senior Nani Sagapolu collected one RBI.
Cole and sophomore Samantha Alcaraz scored one run.
Ceres High battled back from 3-0 and 5-3 deficits in the first two innings against Los Banos.
Ahead 7-6, the Bulldogs allowed four runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Ceres High cut the deficit to 10-8 in the bottom half of the inning.
The two teams made a combined nine errors on defense. Ceres High committed five.
“That’s not the way you want to go out. It’s tough. It’s emotional.”
Heacox didn’t make any excuses for her team’s uncharacteristic performance against Los Banos.
The Bulldogs had a two-week break between their last regular season game and playoff contest.
Ceres High won its previous eight league games by a combined score of 115-17. The Bulldogs made just four errors during their unbeaten streak.
“We did a lot of scrimmaging and live pitching to stay fresh,” said Heacox.
Ceres High will lose six players to graduation, including Cole, Montesdeoca, Bond, Sagapolu, Tatianna Ortiz and Madeline Schultz.
“You can’t summarize their careers off of that (playoff) game. They worked hard. They were such a talented group. I’m going to miss them. I’m really excited to see how they do on and off the field and transition into being young adults.”
The Bulldogs continued their winning tradition following Mike Corsaut’s departure as head coach.
Corsaut led Ceres High to eight league titles and nine playoff appearances during his 11-year tenure (2019-24, 2002-06).
“Overall, it’s been a learning experience."
The Bulldogs completed their quest to three-peat as WAC champions this year.
Ceres High also returned to the section playoffs.
“We had a very talented senior class that played under Mike for three years. They were able to adjust to it (a different coaching style). Our girls have shown so much growth.”
The Bulldogs will have high expectations next spring.
“I have a lot of confidence in my junior class who are going to be seniors."
