Central Valley’s softball team is inching closer to accomplishing several firsts in program history.

The Hawks are contending for the Central California Conference title and Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

Central Valley remained atop the CCC this past week after winning a pair of games against El Capitan.

“It’s been a really solid year for us so far,” Central Valley first-year head coach Jimmy Bates said. “We’ve experienced a lot of success. We have a really good shot at making playoffs and winning league for the first time. I hear the girls talking about it. They know what’s going on. There’s still a lot of work to do.”

The Hawks improved to 14-3 overall and 7-1 in the CCC following Friday’s 4-3 road victory over the Gauchos.

El Capitan (8-8, 5-3) dropped to third place.

Golden Valley (10-8-1, 6-3) was in second as of Monday.

Central Valley standout pitcher Janessa Godinez (13-2) surrendered three runs and six hits with four strikeouts and two walks versus El Capitan.

“Janessa is a calming presence in the circle for us,” Bates said.

“Our defense has also played well behind her all year,” he added. “They have Janessa’s back.”

Godinez batted 2-for-3 on offense with one double, two RBIs and one run.

Allie Peterman batted 1-for-3 with one double and two RBIs.

Jayden Corona batted 2-for-3 with two runs.

Soriah Corona scored once.

Micaela Martinez collected two singles.

Gabriela Delatorre, Priscilla Hamidat, Victoria Lloyd, Payton McConnell and Jannet Valencia all singled.

The game was tied 0-0 through three innings.

Central Valley scored two runs both the third and fourth innings.

The Gauchos cut the deficit to one run in the fifth inning.

El Capitan stranded the tying run on base in the final stanza.

“It was a tale of two games,” Bates said.

Central Valley topped El Capitan 14-10 in a makeup game rescheduled due to poor weather on April 24 in Merced.

The Hawks battled back from a 3-0 deficit.

Central Valley took control by scoring a combined 10 runs in the third and fourth innings.

“The girls really believe in each other and know we have the ability to score multiple runs in any inning,” Bates said. “They’re not scared of any moment.”

Godinez had three strikeouts and one walk at pitcher.

She batted 1-for-4 from the plate with two runs.

Delatorre batted 3-for-5 with one triple, three RBIs and three runs.

Hamidat batted 3-for-5 with five RBIs.

Valencia batted 2-for-4 with one RBI and three runs.

Martinez batted 2-for-5 with one double, two RBIs and two runs.

Peterman batted 1-for-4 with one RBI and two runs.

Lloyd batted 4-for-5 with two runs.

Adelina Sandoval batted 1-for-5 with one RBI.

Central Valley will play a double-header versus last-place Buhach Colony today in Ceres and at second-place Golden Valley on Friday. 

The home games are slated to start at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. 

The road game will begin at 4 p.m.

“The work is definitely not done,” Bates said.