Central Valley’s baseball program extended its winning streak to eight games this past week.

Ceres High had its seven-game unbeaten streak snapped.

“Once our bats get going, we’re a really dangerous team,” Hawks’ head coach Brad Bussard said. 

“It’s baseball,” Bulldogs’ leader Bret Durossette said. “We have to bounce back.”

Central Valley and Ceres High sat atop the Western Athletic Conference standings heading into last week.

The Hawks (10-4, 6-0) took over sole possession of first place following their sweep of the Livingston Wolves (3-10, 1-5).

The Bulldogs (5-1) dropped to second place after winning one of two games versus the Pacheco Panthers (8-4, 3-3).

“We did what we expected to do,” Bussard said. “We executed really well.”

“We were hoping to split with them because they were ranked higher than us,” Durossette added.

Central Valley shut out host Livingston 12-0 in five innings on March 26.

Hawk pitcher Tyson Hunt (4-1) surrendered no runs and one hit with three strikeouts and one walk in three innings.

“All of our pitchers do a good job throwing strikes,” Bussard said. “And we play good defense.”

Central Valley totaled 12 hits on offense.

Hunt batted 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

Isaias Valdovinos batted 3-for-3 with two doubles, five RBIs and two runs.

Ezequiel Verduzco batted 3-for-3 with one triple, three RBIs and two runs.

Fernando Dominguez batted 1-for-1 with one double, four runs and three walks.

Central Valley dominated Livingston 17-1 in five innings on March 24.

Hawk pitcher Noah Maldonado (4-2) yielded no runs and one hit with two strikeouts and no walks in three innings.

Central Valley totaled 11 hits.

Hunt batted 2-for-2 with two triples, two RBIs and three runs.

Valdovinos batted 1-for-1 with two RBIs and three runs.

Dominic Delatorre batted 2-for-2 with three RBIS.

Ceres High committed three errors on its way to losing 12-1 to Pacheco in five innings on March 26 at Art McRae Field.

“We made mistakes,” Durossette said. “We didn’t play well.”

The Bulldogs mustered just five hits with five strikeouts on offense.

Isaac Moreno batted 2-for-3 with one RBI.

Gabe Malagon, Junior Sombrerero and Ashton Urena all singled.

Urena (3-3) started at pitcher. He gave up eight runs and 13 hits with three strikeouts and two walks in four innings.

Ceres High routed Pacheco 11-1 in five innings on March 24.

“We were mentally ready,” Durossette said.

The Bulldogs accumulated 11 hits and seven walks on offense.

Urena batted 3-for-4 with one double, two RBIs and two runs.

Isaiah Reyes batted 3-for-4 with one double, one RBI and one run.

Jake Oliver batted 2-for-3 with two doubles, one RBI and one run.

Reyes (5-1) allowed no runs and four hits with three strikeouts and three walks in five innings while starting at pitcher.