Senior Brad Bussard has been a key member of Ceres High School's varsity baseball team since his freshman year.

Drew Stahl, a senior newcomer with the Bulldogs, transferred from Beyer.

Bussard and Stahl helped Ceres High extend their unbeaten streak to seven games this past week.

"We had strong pitching both days," Bulldogs head coach John Bussard said. "It's kind of like what we had last year."

The Bulldogs improved to 11-3 overall and 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference standings.

"All we talk about is putting separation between us and who we're playing," coach Bussard said.

Infielder Brad Bussard's bases-loaded, over-the-head diving catch of Ernesto Huizar's soft line drive between right field and second base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning preserved Ceres High's 2-1 victory over host Patterson on Wednesday.

"I've never seen him run that fast," coach Bussard said. "He came out of nowhere. He caught the ball three inches off the ground. It basically saved the game. We thought we lost the game. Next to Joe Panik's double play in the World Series, it's the most clutch play I've ever witnessed."

Bussard was also the winning pitcher.

"He's our No. 1 based solely on what he's done for us in the past," John Bussard said. "He does what he does. He doesn't walk a lot of people. He's got a variety of pitches. He throws strikes. He mixes speeds. He's a true pitcher."
Stahl picked up the save in relief of Bussard. Drew surrendered one hit, struck out none and walked one in two-thirds of an inning.

Ceres High beat Patterson despite batting just .200 (5-for-25) from the plate as a team.

The Bulldogs also committed three errors.

Bussard finished 1-for-3 with one double and two runs.

Brett Conway batted 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Ceres High broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the sixth inning.

Stahl pitched a four-hit shutout during Ceres High's 8-0 win against Patterson on March 23 at Art McRae Field.

Drew allowed no runs and four hits with nine strikeouts and two walks over seven innings.

"He's got a little funky delivery," coach Bussard said. "It throws people off."

Stahl played one season of varsity baseball at Beyer prior to transferring to Ceres High.

"He's fit right in," John Bussard said. "He's become a team leader."

Ahead 3-0, Ceres High broke the game open by scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Bulldogs batted .500 (14-for-28) from the plate as a team during the game.

Brad Bussard finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run.

Stahl finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs.

Conway finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run.

Haaydn Martinez finished 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.
Ceres High and unbeaten Los Banos (4-0) will face off twice this week.

The Bulldogs will play host to the Tigers today.

Ceres High will travel to Los Banos on Thursday.

Both games will get underway at 4 p.m.