Central Valley’s softball team did more than put up a fight against Patterson.
The fifth-place Hawks battled back from a four-run deficit before losing 12-11 to the second-place Tigers during the final day of the Central California Conference season on May 8 in Patterson.
“It was back and forth,” said head coach Jimmy Bates. “It was a fun game to be a part of. We wouldn’t go away. We kept coming back.”
Central Valley compiled a 9-16 overall record and finished 4-8 in CCC play this season.
Patterson improved to 13-7 and posted a 9-3 record in the conference standings.
“We had a super young group. We’re capable of more.”
The Hawks beat last-place El Capitan twice, and sixth-place Buhach Colony and first-place Atwater once this year.
“We lost five games by one-run in league. We proved we’re competitive.”
Seniors Jannet Valencia, Priscilla Hamidat and Victoria Molina suited up for Central Valley for the final time last week.
They’ll graduate from high school on June 5.
Valencia, Hamidat and Molina helped lead the Hawks to their best season to date in 2023. Central Valley compiled a 19-4 overall record, claimed their first league championship and qualified for the playoffs for the first time. The Hawks won the CCC title outright with a near-perfect 11-1 mark.
“Their legacies are cemented in Central Valley’s history forever. They helped turn the tide of our program. They were willing to do anything and everything for our team. The girls fed off Jannet’s energy and everything she did.”
Central Valley and Patterson combined for 28 hits, including 14 each.
Hamidat batted 2-for-4 from the plate with two RBIs.
Valencia batted 1-for-2 with two runs.
Sophomore Gabriela Delatorre batted 3-for-5 with one triple, four RBIs and two runs.
Sophomore Abigail Krauss batted 3-for-4 with one triple, one double, one RBI and two runs.
Freshman Valerie Espinoza batted 2-for-4 with one triple, one RBI and two runs.
Freshman Brooklynn Steeley batted 1-for-5 with one double, two RBIs and one run.
Freshman Reylena Herrera collected one RBI and one run.
Sophomore Payton McConnell scored once.
Sophomore Alicia Espinoza singled.
Steeley and Valencia both pitched.
Steeley (8-10) yielded nine runs and nine hits with two strikeouts and four walks in 41/3 innings
Valencia gave up three runs and five hits with two strikeouts and four walks in 31/3 innings.
The Tigers edged the Hawks in eight innings.
“We really played to our potential,” commented Bates. “We were highly competitive. We got beat. It happens.”
Central Valley trailed 4-0 through two innings.
The Hawks led 11-9 after scoring five runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Patterson outscored Central Valley 3-0 the rest of the game.
“We barely got edged out."
The Hawks will lose three players to graduation.
Delatorre, Krauss, McConnell, Steeley, Valerie Espinoza, Alicia Espinoza, Reylena Herrera, Destiny Herrera (Jr.), Alayah Villa (So.) and Valeria Padilla (Fr.) could return to the team next spring.
“I believe our program is moving in the right direction."
Central Valley will vie for its second playoff appearance in three seasons under Bates’ direction in 2025.
The Hawks will compete in the Western Athletic Conference next school year.
Central Valley is moving from the CCC to the WAC as part of the Sac-Joaquin Sections league realignment plan.
“Being in the WAC with Ceres High is going to be really fun. There’s a lot of softball talent at both schools.”
