Central Valley High School's varsity baseball team managed to secure a split in non-conference play last week despite struggling on offense.
The Hawks had a collective batting average of .095 (4-for-42) with 18 strikeouts while competing against Weston Ranch and Downey.
"We didn't swing the bat very well," Central Valley head coach Greg Magni said.
The Hawks collected two hits and took advantage of nine walks during their 5-2 victory over Weston Ranch on March 11 in Ceres.
Michael Ereso had one hit and one RBI.
Jeff Reeves singled and knocked in one run.
Raul Godinez singled and scored once.
Abraham Navarro, Isaiah Gonzales and Michael Collins chipped in with one run each.
Ruben Casas, the winning pitcher for Central Valley, yielded six hits and one earned run with seven strikeouts and four walks in six innings.
Reeves picked up the save in relief.
Jeff allowed no runs and hits in the final inning.
The Hawks scored two runs in both the third and fifth innings, and one in the sixth.
"We did what we needed to do to win," Magni said.
Host Central Valley lost 2-0 to Downey on Thursday.
"It was a good test for us," Magni said.
Casas broke up Knights pitcher Darion Heltne's bid for a no-hitter with a single up the middle in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Heltne fanned 13 batters and surrendered just two hits.
Darion worked his way out of a jam in the first inning. Heltne retired back-to-back batters by strikeout as the Hawks stranded two runners on base.
Austin Burns accounted for Central Valley's second hit-a single in the seventh.
"He (Heltne) was lights out," Magni said. "He got ahead of everybody. We could have been more aggressive."
Ereso (3-1) pitched well in defeat. The junior southpaw struck out six and walked one in seven innings. Michael allowed two runs and scattered seven hits.
"He's so steady," Magni said. "He's got a great demeanor out there. I can't ask for more. He's been spectacular."
Central Valley (7-2) suffered its second loss of the season.
"It's the best start we've ever had," Magni said.
