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Crosstown-rival Bulldogs, Hawks enjoy a tremendous amount of success on diamond
CV, CHS qualify for section playoff tourney
raul.tiff
Raul Godinez, pictured throwing a runner out at first base, helped lead Central Valleys baseball team to record heights in 2013. The Hawks made their first-ever playoff appearance. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Ceres High School's varsity baseball team qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the third straight year.

Crosstown-rival Central Valley participated in the postseason for the first time during its seven-year history.

The Bulldogs and Hawks posted a combined record of 39-16-1 in 2013.

"Central Valley had a fantastic season," Ceres High head coach John Bussard said. "We had a solid season. It's pretty phenomenal. The city should be proud of the baseball tradition that is being started."

The Bulldogs finished 20-7-1 and second overall in the Western Athletic Conference standings (10-2).

Ceres High reeled off 10 straight wins in league play.
"I've been coaching baseball for 27 years," Bussard said. "Only once before have I been part of a team that's won 20 games in a regular season."

Central Valley compiled a program-best 19-9 record and placed third in the WAC (6-6).

The Hawks bested the Bulldogs 9-5 for the Ceres Lions Club/Art McRae tournament title.

Central Valley won 12 of 15 road games this season.

"They bought into everything we taught them," Hawks leader Greg Magni said. "It was so much fun. I didn't want it to end."

Jimbo Pernetti, Brandon Arevalos, Haydon Turpin and Brad Bussard led the Bulldogs.

Jimbo, Brandon and Haydon received first-team, all-conference honors.

Pernetti, a senior shortstop, batted .525 with four homers, two triples, 12 doubles, 27 RBIs and 35 runs and five stolen bases.

Arevalos, a senior outfielder, batted .448 with four homers, one triple, six doubles, 21 RBIs and 20 runs.

Turpin, a senior pitcher, compiled an 8-3 record with a 2.36 ERA, 113 strikeouts, 22 walks, two shutouts and four complete games.

Bussard, a sophomore utility player, was selected to the WAC Second Team. Brad posted an 8-2 record with a 1.62 ERA, 54 strikeouts, 18 walks, four complete games and two shutouts while filling the No. 2 spot in Ceres High's pitching rotation. Brad batted .350 with one triple, six doubles, seven stolen bases, 18 RBIs and 29 runs.

Ruben Casas, Michael Ereso and Raul Godinez filled key roles for the Hawks.

Casas was voted WAC MVP.

Ruben pitched, batted third and played shortstop.
Casas compiled a 9-3 record with a 2.76 ERA, 87 strikeouts, one shutout and three complete games.

He hit .361 with two homers, five triples, six doubles, 24 RBIs, 24 runs and seven stolen bases.

Michael and Raul were selected to the WAC Second Team.
Ereso, Central Valley's No. 2 hitter, batted .425 with two doubles, 15 RBIs, 30 runs and five stolen bases.

Michael had a 5-5 record with a 2.92 ERA, 51 strikeouts, two shutouts and five complete games on the mound.

Godinez batted .312 with one double, nine RBIs, 28 runs and seven stolen bases while hitting leadoff.

The members of Central Valley's and Ceres High's baseball teams wore different uniforms but had the same goal.

The Hawks and Bulldogs amassed a combined winning percentage of .696.

"We did some special things," Magni said. "It was quite a ride."

Added Bussard: "We surpassed what we did last year by leaps and bounds."