Mason Whitworth, Ezequiel Verduzco and Isaias Valdovinos helped lead Central Valley’s baseball program to new heights during the 2025-26 school year.

The trio teamed up for the final time last month while representing the Hawks at the 34th Modesto Sunrise Rotary All-Star Classic.

Whitworth, Verduzco and Valdovinos all contributed during Team Gold’s 10-5 win against crosstown-rival Ceres High’s Ashton Urena and Team Blue on June 13 at Modern Woodmen Field (formerly John Thurman Field).

The game featured more than 40 of the best high school players from Stanislaus County.

“Being able to play baseball with my friends one last time was great,” Whitworth said. “It was really fun. It reminded me so much of the season we had.”

“It was a really special experience,” Verduzco said. “They (Whitworth and Valdovinos) helped me mature as a baseball player and teammate. They’re two of the best players I’ve ever played with. They spoke to me a lot and gave me tips. They had really high baseball IQs. They really cared about the team.”

“It was an honor to play alongside them (Whitworth and Verduzco) and represent Central Valley one last time,” Valdovinos said. “It’s exciting we were able to win against highly-skilled players.”

“It was an honor to be picked to play in the game and represent Ceres High,” Urena said. “I wanted to showcase what Ceres High produced. They’ve shaped the player I’ve been the last two years.”

Whitworth won the All-Star game’s Most Outstanding Player award in front of his family, including parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

He was rewarded following a 2-for-3 performance from the plate with two RBIs.

He batted leadoff.

Whitworth logged playing time at second base in the first and second innings, and shortstop in the fifth and sixth.

“It’s definitely very special,” he said. “When I heard my name get called, I was surprised. There’s a lot of talent out there. Being able to hold my own against all the great players was exciting. To me, it’s my proudest baseball achievement. Better than getting (Western Athletic Conference) Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year.”

Verduzco batted 1-for-1 from the plate with one RBI.

He logged playing time at right field in the first and second innings, pitcher in the fifth, and first base in the ninth.

“It was a fun experience,” Verduzco said. “The talent out there was really good. The coaches were amazing. I made a lot of new friends. I’m content with how I did. But I could have done better. Overall, I did my job.”

Valdovinos batted 0-for-2 from the plate with one walk.

He logged playing time at second base in the third and fourth innings, and catcher in the fifth and sixth.

“It was an honor to play in the game,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Urena batted 1-for-2 from the plate with two RBIs.

He allowed no runs and no hits with one strikeout and no walks while contributing at pitcher in the second inning.

“Not making the team last year was motivation,” Urena said. “I worked hard and was certain I’d make it this year. It’s a big honor to have.”

“Being around so many good players made me want to try harder,” he added. “We were all there for a reason. Everybody was worthy.”

Down 5-0, Team Gold scored 10 unanswered runs to complete the comeback.

Team Gold pulled away after evening the score in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“We started hitting and it was all good from there,” Whitworth said.

“We started having fun,” Verduzco said.

“It was really competitive,” Valdovinos said.

“Overall, it was a good game,” Urena said. “They just played better.”

Whitworth made history this spring by becoming just the fourth Hawk player to be named conference MVP.

The senior shortstop batted .419 from the plate with two triples, two doubles, 15 RBIs, 25 runs and six stolen bases for Central Valley, which claimed its second consecutive WAC title in undefeated fashion.

“We put in a lot of hard work,” Whitworth said.

A three-year varsity contributor, Whitworth was named the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year as a junior.

“I exceeded expectations,” he said. “I was an average player freshman year. Halfway through sophomore year, I became a key part of the offense. I stopped worrying about hitting for power and started working on contact. It made me see the ball a lot better.”

Whitworth embraced being a team leader.

“I just wanted to be a role model and help my guys succeed,” he said. “My parents were my biggest supporters. They helped me a lot through the years.”

Verduzco was named Offensive Player of the Year during the WAC season.

The junior rightfielder batted .553 from the plate with three triples, five doubles, 15 RBIs, 18 runs and four stolen bases.

“I got off to a really slow start,” he said. “I messed up my arm in October and couldn’t throw too well. I was stressing. I trusted myself. If you hit the ball hard, good things happen.”

Valdovinos earned first-team all-conference during his third-and-final season with the Hawks.

The senior second baseman batted .361 from the plate with two triples, four doubles, 17 RBIs, 15 runs and four stolen bases.

“I’m pretty happy with how I did,” Valdovinos said. “I grew as a baseball player and as a man. I’m grateful for my coaches and teammates.”

Urena starred on Ceres High’s baseball team for two seasons.

The senior utility player posted a .394 batting average with three home runs, one triple, 10 doubles, 47 RBIs, 44 runs, 14 walks and 15 stolen bases in 52 career games.

Urena had a 10-8 record at pitcher with 107 strikeouts, one no-hitter and two complete games in 991/3 innings.

“I was a complete player,” he said.

Urena was named to the WAC First Team as a senior.

He batted .447 from the plate with one triple, four doubles, 15 RBIs, 12 runs and one stolen base.

Urena compiled a 3-2 record on the mound with 17 strikeouts in 31 innings.

“We tried our hardest every game,” he said. “It’s unfortunate we didn’t make playoffs. I tried to motivate my team.”

Urena was voted the WAC’s Utility Player of the Year as a junior.

Urena and Vincent Castrejon led Ceres High to a 19-9 overall record, second-place finish in the WAC (10-4) and Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoff appearance.

“A big inspiration for me was Vincent,” Urena said. “He was a very hard worker. I tried matching his work ethic. It was a friendly competition.”

“People doubted us the whole year,” he added. “We proved them wrong.”

Whitworth, Valdovinos and Urena graduated from their respective high schools last month.

Whitworth will play baseball for Stanislaus State.

Urena earned a scholarship to UC Merced.

He plans to join the Merced Community College team.

Valdovinos will focus on academics at UC Irvine.

“They reached out three weeks ago,” Whitworth said. “It’s a great thing they have trust in me. Being able to stay local is what I wanted to do. I can’t wait to play. I’m going to have to work very hard to earn a spot.”

“I’m definitely going to miss it (baseball),” Valdovinos said. “I’m never going to experience what I experienced again. I’m not going to forget all the memories I made.”

Verduzco will fill an even bigger role as Central Valley vies for its third consecutive WAC championship next spring.

“I’m confident I’ll produce more for my team,” Verduzco said. “I believe we’ll continue to do great things.”