For the first time in program history, Central Valley’s baseball team has earned the right to host a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff game.

The Hawks were awarded the No. 8 seed for the Division-I postseason tournament after sweeping the Grace Davis Spartans during the final week of Western Athletic Conference season.

“To be a top eight seed in our section with all of the powerhouse Sacramento schools is pretty awesome,” head coach Brad Bussard said. “The section noticed we’ve been playing elite competition.”

Central Valley improved to 20-8 overall and finished undefeated in WAC play with a 14-0 record after escaping with a 2-1 win over visiting Grace Davis on Senior Day on April 30 in Modesto.

The Spartans posted a 6-16 overall record and placed fifth in the conference standings (4-10).

Down 1-0, the Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to complete the comeback.

“We had to win the game to have the potential of hosting a home playoff game,” Bussard said. “We played a good game against Davis. Davis played their best game of the year. It was a quality, high-school baseball game.”

“Davis gave us our most competitive league series of the season,” he added. “Credit to them. But at the end of the day, we handled business.”

Bussard recognized seven Central Valley upperclassmen before Game 2 of the WAC series, including Fernando Dominguez, Carter Hernandez, Isaac Lopez, Caden Mendonca, Samuel Rubio, Isaias Valdovinos and Mason Whitworth.

“It’s a great group of kids,” Bussard said. “They were the foundation of our two league championship teams. They definitely left a legacy.”

Mendonca batted 1-for-3 from the plate with one double and one run against the Spartans.

Hernandez and Whitworth both singled.

Junior Nathan Cazares batted 1-for-3 with one double, one RBI and one run.

Junior Ezequiel Verduzco singled.

Sophomore Noah Maldonado improved his pitching record to 8-2

He gave up one run and one hit with six strikeouts and four walks in seven innings.

Central Valley secured a one-run win over Grace Davis in front of fans at the newly-named Modesto Roadsters Pioneer Baseball League team’s Modern Woodmen Field. The facility was previously used by the Modesto Nuts, the Single-A MLB affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, through the 2025 season.

“It was nice of the Modesto Roadsters to continue the tradition and allow high school kids to play on that field,” Bussard said. “It’s a really cool experience playing on a minor-league field.”

Central Valley defeated host Grace Davis 10-3 on April 28 in Modesto.

The Hawks built a commanding 6-0 lead in the second inning.

“We swung the bats pretty well,” Bussard said.

Mendonca batted 2-for-3 during the game with two RBIs and two runs.

Whitworth batted 1-for-4 with one triple, three RBIs and one run.

Junior Tyson Hunt batted 2-for-4 with one double, one RBI and one run.

Cazares and junior Adrian Vega both scored twice.

Dominguez drove in one run.

Hernandez and Valdovinos finished with one run each.

Verduzco tripled and singled.

Hunt and junior Dominic Delatorre logged playing time at pitcher.

Delatorre allowed no runs and one hit with four strikeouts and one walk in two innings of relief.

Hunt surrendered three runs and four hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings.

Central Valley made history during the regular season by claiming its second straight WAC title and third consecutive playoff berth.

The Hawks’ record versus WAC competition over the past two seasons is 28-0.

Pending weather, Central Valley is scheduled to host Lincoln of Stockton today (4 p.m.) in the opening round of the Division-I playoffs.