Central Valley High School's varsity softball team had a rough start during the opening week of Western Athletic Conference play.

The Hawks lost by a combined score of 29-5 to El Capitan and Patterson.

"We made too many defensive mistakes and didn't have enough offensive production," head coach Kristen Ghimenti said.

Central Valley dropped to 0-2 in the WAC standings following Thursday's 14-0 five-inning mercy-rule loss to visiting El Capitan of Merced.

The Hawks mustered just three hits and struck out 10 times on offense.

Sophomore Autianna Baxter doubled.

Freshmen Megan McElroy and Brianna Quiroz both singled.
Quiroz also pitched.

Brianna allowed 14 runs (12 earned) and scattered 20 hits with no strikeouts and no walks in five innings.

Central Valley made two errors on defense.

Host Central Valley dropped its WAC opener, 15-5, to Patterson on March 22.

The Hawks lost despite collecting 15 hits.

Central Valley contributed to its own demise by committing six errors.

Hawk sophomore Nayeli Pelayo batted 3-for-4 with one double, two RBIs and one run.

Baxter batted 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run.

Quiroz batted 3-for-4 with one RBI.

Bryana Lopez batted 2-for-4 with one run.

McElroy batted 1-for-4 with one RBI.

Yesenia Godinez batted 1-for-3 with one run.

Gaby Bonales, Marissa Camarillo and freshman Alyssa Maeyama all singled.

Quiroz gave up 15 runs (10 earned) and 18 hits with one strikeout and two walks over seven innings.

The Tigers broke a 1-1 tie with a nine-run barrage in the top of the third inning.

Patterson added five runs in the seventh.

The Hawks scored one run in the bottom of the first inning, and two in both the fourth and seventh.

Central Valley will play host to Los Banos on April 5 and Pacheco on April 7.

Both WAC games will begin at 4 p.m.