Ceres High School varsity softball pitcher Kaytlin Donaldson notched her second no-hitter of the season against Pacheco.
Donaldson, a freshman, tallied six strikeouts and two walks during the Bulldogs' 16-0 five-inning mercy-rule victory over the Panthers on Wednesday in Los Banos.
Kaytlin also helped her own cause, finishing 2-for-4 from the plate with three RBIs and one run.
"She has a good curveball," Ceres High head coach Donnie Donaldson said. "The wind made it better."
Pacheco nearly broke up Donaldson's bid for a no-hitter in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Bulldog second baseman Jessica Arreola threw a strike to first base after fielding a hard-hit, one-hop ground ball.
Ceres High shortstop Nicole Bates registered the second out when she backhanded a grounder in the 5-6 hole and made a perfect throw across the diamond.
Kaytlin struck out Pacheco's final batter to end the game. "Her changeup was working really well," coach Donaldson said. "She was on."
The Bulldogs collected 12 runs in top of the fourth inning and totaled 15 hits.
MacKenzie Veuve batted 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBIs and three runs.
Arreola batted 3-for-4 with three runs.
Bates batted 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs.
Mahlena O'Neal batted 3-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Dia Borden batted 1-for-1 with one RBI and two runs.
Patterson edged host Ceres High 5-4 on Friday.
"You got to give credit to Patterson," Donnie Donaldson said. "They had some timely hitting, the opposite of us."
The Tigers (5-5) trail the Bulldogs (6-4) by one game in the WAC standings.
Ceres High will close out the WAC season against host Los Banos (8-2) on Wednesday and visiting Central Valley (2-7) on Friday.
Patterson plays Central Catholic (10-0) today and Pacheco on Friday.
"We're in the driver's seat for the No. 3 spot," coach Donaldson said. "If we beat Los Banos, that will clinch at least third. We have to win one of our next two to qualify. Even though we didn't win the league championship, there's always that chance we do well in playoffs."
