Central Valley's varsity softball program secured a split during the opening week of Western Athletic Conference play.

The Hawks scored four runs in the top of the first inning, two in the third and three in the fourth on their way to posting a 9-2 win over host Livingston on March 26.

"We expected to beat Livingston because they're always in the lower part of the league just like we are," Central Valley junior utility player Brianna Quiroz said. "But gaining (pitcher) Scarlett Lloyd has helped and taken a lot of pressure off us. She's able to actually work her pitches against the batters."

Lloyd totaled 11 strikeouts and just one walk while dominating Livingston.

She allowed two runs and no hits in seven innings.

Scarlett collected three of the Hawks' 13 hits on offense.

She collected one double, two singles, three RBIs, one run and two stolen bases.

Quiroz batted 3-for-4 with one double, one RBI, two runs and one stolen base.

Elizabeth Robinson batted 1-for-3 with two RBIs and one run.

Giuliana Gutierrez batted 2-for-3 with one double, two RBIs and one stolen base.

Isabella Pelayo batted 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks.

Vanessa Oliver batted 2-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases.

Arianna Muniz batted 1-for-3 with one run and two stolen bases.

Central Valley dropped to 5-5 overall and 1-1 in the WAC following its 10-0 loss at Los Banos in six innings on March 28.

"They are a great team," Quiroz said. "But we're up there, too. We just have to play hard and want it."

Lloyd accounted for both of the Hawks' hits.

She tallied four strikeouts at pitcher.

Scarlett allowed 12 hits.

The Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning, and three in both the fourth and sixth.

Dawgs beaten
Ceres High's varsity softball team lost its WAC opener, 11-5, to visiting Patterson on March 28.

The Bulldogs trailed 9-0 through 31/2 innings of play.

Ceres High scored one run in both the fourth and fifth innings, and three in the sixth.