June 12 marked the end of Nayeli Pelayo’s and Andrea Duran’s prep athletic careers.

The 2018 graduates represented Central Valley and Ceres High, respectively, while playing in the Fourth Annual Paul Leonardo Memorial All-Star Softball Game.

Pelayo, Duran and the Western Athletic Conference lost 9-0 to the Central California Conference at Livingston High School.

“I was kind of sad because that was my last time ever representing CV,” Pelayo said. “It was an amazing experience and I’m truly blessed getting to play in it (the all-star contest) all four years.”

Pelayo teamed up with fellow Hawk standouts Brianna Quiroz and Scarlett Lloyd for the final time.

Nayeli logged playing time at catcher and right field.

She batted 1-for-3.

Pelayo was teammates with Quiroz and Lloyd for three and two years, respectively.

“I’ve played with Bri ever since I started playing travel ball,” Nayeli said. “We have a very close bond. We grew with each other. It sucks that that was the last time playing with her but she’ll do big things next year. I have only known Scarlett for two years and she’s an amazing person. We really bonded great with each other. I can’t wait to see her go far with the game.”

“I’m sad she’s leaving,” Lloyd said. “Those are big shoes to fill both offensively and defensively. She caught for me the first game when I pitched.”

Duran teamed up with Bulldog standouts Vianney Perez and Rebecca DeLeon for the last time.

Andrea logged playing time at second base, center field and left field.

She grounded out on offense.

Duran, Perez and DeLeon were teammates for two seasons. 

“It was fun,” Andrea said. “I really connected with those two a lot, especially Vianney. She’s like my little sister.”

 “It was one mind with me and Andrea,” said Perez, who along with Duran, made up Ceres High’s middle infield. “We always had good chemistry. She’s like a sister to me.”

Duran batted .306 with one homer, one triple, four doubles, 10 RBIs and 10 runs during her final season with Ceres High.

She was selected to the Western Athletic Conference Second Team.

Andrea garnered first-team recognition in 2017.

Pelayo accomplished a first in Central Valley softball history by being named a second-team all-league selection four times.

She had a career batting average of .369 with two homers, one triple, 12 doubles, 26 RBIs, 16 runs and seven stolen bases.

Nayeli struck out just once in WAC play this year.

“She’s going to be so hard to replace,” Hawks’ head coach Regina Selfridge said. “She’s a powerhouse hitter. She’s the best catcher I’ve seen. She’s an all-round great athlete.”

Duran will continue her softball career at Cabrillo College in Aptos.

Pelayo plans to focus on academics at Stanislaus State.

“I love softball,” Andrea said. “I’ve always wanted to play at the next level.”