Central Valley’s softball team kepts its playoff hopes alive this past week.
The Hawks held on for an 8-5 win against the Patterson Tigers on April 14 in Ceres.
Central Valley (5-13, 3-4) moved into a tie for fourth place in the Central California Conference standings with Patterson (5-9, 3-4).
The top three teams in the CCC will be awarded playoff berths at the end of the regular season.
Central Valley is trying to secure its first-ever trip to the postseason.
“We definitely have a chance,” Hawks’ head coach Regina Selfridge said. “It would be extremely exciting to see us get there. These girls have worked really hard. They deserve it.”
Hawk Janessa Godinez yielded five runs and eight hits with five strikeouts and one walk while logging playing time at pitcher.
“She wants to contribute in any way to help our team,” Selfridge said. “Right now, we need pitching.”
Godinez batted 1-for-4 from the plate with one run.
Allie Peterman batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run.
Victoria Lloyd batted 1-for-2 with two RBIs and one run.
Micaela Martinez batted 2-for-3 with two runs.
Julia Roton drove in one run.
Destiny Herrera and Jannet Valencia both scored once.
Kylie Maines singled.
Central Valley players had extra incentive to excel on offense.
“For every line-drive hit, they got a $5 Starbucks or Dutch Bros gift card,” Selfridge said. “It was a bonus. I split the cost with (assistant coach) Brandy (Cordova).”
Central Valley tallied two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and three in both the third and sixth.
Patterson trailed 8-3 heading into the final inning.
The Hawks avenged a 6-4 loss.
“The girls had fun,” Selfridge said. “They did their best. We have a really solid team.”
Central Valley lost 7-0 at Golden Valley on April 12.
The Hawks mustered just three hits versus the second-place Cougars (5-2).
Martinez batted 1-for-3 with one double.
Valencia and Priscilla Hamidat both singled.
“The score doesn’t represent what happened,” Selfridge said. “It was a really close game. It was 2-2 for a while.”
Golden Valley broke the game open with a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Hawks will resume CCC play with a road game at first-place Merced (12-5, 7-0) on April 26.
“We’re pushing them,” Selfridge said. “We know what they’re capable of.”
Beyer 2, CHS 1
A month removed from edging Beyer with a late rally, Ceres High’s softball team lost in similar fashion during the rematch between the Western Athletic Conference rivals.
Alison Robinson scored from third on a passed ball with the bases loaded and two outs as the Patriots earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs in extra innings on April 13 in Modesto.
“I knew it was going to be a tight game,” Ceres High head coach Mike Corsaut said. “When you play good teams, anything can happen.”
The second-place Bulldogs (11-8, 7-2) lost ground to first-place Los Banos (12-1, 8-0) in the WAC standings (7-2).
The Patriots (7-8-2, 5-3-0) remained in fourth place.
“We’re fighting for a playoff spot,” Corsaut said. “That’s what we’re battling for. We still have a shot (at league) but need help from somebody else.”
Ceres High’s Brooklyn Heffernan (7-5) and Beyer’s Delaney Pratt (5-1) both turned in standout performances at pitcher.
Heffernan and Pratt combined for 29 strikeouts.
Heffernan allowed two runs and three hits with 14 strikeouts and six walks.
Pratt gave up one run and four hits with 15 strikeouts and no walks.
“Something had to give sooner or later,” Corsaut said. “Neither team made an error. We had the passed ball and it cost us. We’re a very, good hitting team. We didn’t do enough to help our pitcher. Sometimes, you have games like that.”
Heffernan, Alizae Cole, Isabela Giraldes and Maddie Schultz all contributed on offense in defeat.
Heffernan doubled.
Cole batted 1-for-1 with one triple and one run.
Giraldes batted 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Schultz tripled.
“We didn’t have timely hits like we usually do,” Corsaut said. “We weren’t selective.”
Ceres High grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Cole tripled and scored on Giraldes’ single up the middle.
“We only had two hits after that,” Corsaut said.
Beyer tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning.
The Bulldogs won the first meeting, 7-6, on March 18.
Ceres High will compete in the NorCal Classic this week in Tracy.
The Bulldogs will resume WAC play at Johansen on April 27.
“I’m always confident in our girls,” Corsaut said. “They’ll respond in a positive way. I know what they can do. I know the potential.”
