Kristen Ghimenti filled out a lineup card for Central Valley High School's varsity softball team for the final time this past month.

Ghimenti will no longer serve as head coach of the Hawks, who closed out the 2016 season with an 8-1 win over host Livingston on May 10.

Kristen, who stepped down to obtain her administrative credentials, will continue to teach Advanced Placement and pre-AP English at the school.

"I made the decision before the season," she said. "It's a time issue. It has nothing to do with the girls. I'm going back to school. I have class twice a week at 4 o'clock."

Ghimenti's coaching career with Central Valley spanned five years.

The Hawks posted a combined record of 10-50 in WAC play.

"I'm definitely going to miss the girls," she said. "It was really difficult to tell them."

Central Valley and Livingston tied for last place in the 2016 WAC standings with identical 1-11 records.

"It was one of my most cohesive teams," Ghimenti said.

The Hawks enjoyed their best season to date in 2014.

Fourth-place Central Valley had a 5-7 mark as Ghimenti was voted WAC Coach of the Year.

"We had seasons where we did really well and struggled," she said.

Central Valley's overall league record through its first five seasons was 13-58. The Hawks had three different head coaches, including Margo Arzola, Veronica Giddens and Manny Bejaran.

"Kristen did a good job overall," Central Valley Athletic Director Greg Magni said. "She has the program headed in the right direction. They're very young, but improving."

Added Ghimenti: "They'll be fine. They have plenty of talent."

Ghimenti played varsity softball at Ceres High for three seasons (2005-07).

She was named Valley Oak League Pitcher of the Year as a senior. She had an 8-6 record, 0.69 ERA, 171 strikeouts and four shutouts in 91 innings as the Bulldogs secured their 21st consecutive playoff berth and placed third in conference play. Ceres High beat Central Valley's inaugural team twice (13-1, 10-0).

In 2006, Ghimenti earned second-team, all-conference honors as Ceres High claimed its second straight Modesto Metro Conference title. She started at second base.

Kristen started in the outfield for the 2005 MMC-champion Bulldogs.

Ghimenti continued her pitching career with Bethany University.

She was an assistant coach at Ceres High in 2011.

Kristen agreed to coach softball at Central Valley after being hired to teach English.

She'll serve as department chair beginning next school year.

"The girls really like her," Magni said. "She'll be missed. She has a bright future in whatever she chooses to do."