Central Valley’s baseball program claimed league titles at the junior-varsity and varsity levels this spring.
The JV Hawks won all 14 of their Western Athletic Conference games and posted a 20-7 overall record under first-year head coach Tony Murphy’s guidance.
“It was a very special group,” he said. “You don’t get a group like that very often. A lot of the kids have travel ball experience.”
Central Valley’s roster featured a total of 13 players, including Isaac Lopez (Jr.), Nathan Cazares (So.), Adan Cruzes (So.), Dominic Delatorre (So.), Xavier Felix (So.), Julian Magana (So.), Marcus Olivas (So.), Isaac Padilla (So.), Adrian Vega (So.), Adrian Delahoya (Fr.), Noah Maldonado (Fr.), Julien Perez (Fr.) and AJ Vigil (Fr.).
“We had some quality talent,” Murphy said. “The kids worked very hard. They bought into the system—what we were trying to implement. Our role as coaches is to get the kids ready for the varsity level.”
Delatorre batted .609 from the plate on the year with one home run, one triple, 15 doubles, 32 RBIs, 27 runs and 22 stolen bases.
Padilla batted .500 with one run.
Cruzes batted .400 with one triple, one double, 13 RBIs and seven runs.
Maldonado batted .373 with one homer, six doubles, 35 RBIs, 26 runs and 12 stolen bases.
Cazares batted .364 with seven doubles, 19 RBIs, 28 runs and 18 stolen bases.
Vega batted .362 with six doubles, 16 RBIs, 15 runs and 11 stolen bases.
Vigil batted .340 with one double, nine RBIs, 27 runs and eight stolen bases.
Delahoya batted .333 with one homer, one triple, three doubles, 24 RBIs, 30 runs and 14 stolen bases.
Olivas batted .286 with six doubles, 15 RBIs, 22 runs and six stolen bases.
Felix batted .283 with one homer, two triples, three doubles, 16 RBIs, 25 runs and 11 stolen bases.
Perez batted .280 with four doubles, 16 RBIs, 37 runs and 18 stolen bases.
Lopez batted .182 with two RBIs, 13 runs and seven stolen bases.
Magana batted .125 with one triple, one double, four RBIs, eight runs and two stolen bases.
The Hawks had one assistant coach in Tyler Murphy.
Tyler, Tony’s son, was an ace pitcher for Turlock High in 2012 and 2013. He was supposed to play at St. Mary’s College before a boating accident derailed his baseball dream.
Tyler returned to the field as part of the Stanislaus State baseball team in 2014 following nine surgeries and countless hours of therapy.
He played for the Swift Current 57s of the Western Canadian Baseball League and the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Professional Baseball League in 2019.
“Brad Bussard (Central Valley head coach) pulled me out of retirement,” Tony said. “I talked my son into helping me. We got to coach together. That was extremely special.”
“I’m very strict on discipline, and respecting the game and other teams,” he added. “I’m old school. Let your actions speak for themselves.”
Central Valley had a team-batting average of .341 on offense this season.
The Hawks had 130 stolen bases.
Central Valley outscored its opponents, 270-7.
The Hawks won 13 of their 27 games by the mercy rule.
“We had hitters up and down the lineup,” Tony Murphy said. “They were able to make adjustments at the plate.”
Central Valley had five different pitchers collect at least one win.
The Hawks had a team earned-run average of 1.39 with 243 strikeouts and just 51 walks.
Olivas compiled a perfect 5-0 record with a 2.07 earned-run average, 26 strikeouts and two walks.
Delahoya compiled a 4-1 record with a 0.30 ERA, 72 strikeouts, seven walks and two no-hitters.
Delatorre compiled a 2-0 record with a 1.00 ERA, 23 strikeouts and five walks.
Vega posted a 1-0 record with a 2.50 ERA, 24 strikeouts and three walks.
Maldonado posted a 1-1 record with a 1.04 ERA, 63 strikeouts, 19 walks and one no-hitter.
“We had five to six guys we could depend on at any time,” Tony Murphy said.
Central Valley had a team fielding percentage of .917 on defense.
“We were pretty solid,” Tony Murphy said.
Central Valley topped Ceres High, Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Livingston, Lathrop and Pacheco in WAC play.
The Hawks bested the crosstown Bulldogs twice by a combined score of 26-5 (12-0, 14-5).
“We pretty much dominated our league,” Tony Murphy said.
Central Valley accomplished its goal.
“The kids knew what was expected of them and handled their business,” Tony Murphy said. “As the season progressed, they gelled together as one and got better. Everyone has fun when you’re winning. We tried to get everybody in games to develop players. We’re headed in the right direction.”
