Ceres High’s softball program continued its winning tradition this spring.

The Bulldogs compiled a 17-7-1 overall record, claimed their third consecutive Western Athletic Conference title and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the sixth straight year.

“I’m very proud of the team,” Ceres High first-year head coach Marcos Duran stated. “To accomplish some of your goals is always a good thing. We had girls that could play multiple positions. That helped a lot.”

The eighth-seeded Bulldogs closed out the 2026 season with a 13-3 mercy-rule loss to the ninth-seeded Vista del Lago Eagles during their opening-round matchup in the Division-III playoffs on May 13 in Ceres.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game even though we were the higher seed,” Duran said. “They’re a perennial playoff team. Their record doesn’t do them justice. They play in a tough conference. Our goal was to win and advance.”

Senior Lizzie Figueroa (8-3) pitched a complete game while making her final start for the Bulldogs.

She allowed 11 earned runs and 15 hits with two strikeouts and three walks in six innings.

“She was one of our best leaders on the team,” Duran said. “She helped continue the tradition of winning. She was a big part of that.”

Figueroa also collected one RBI on offense against Vista del Lago.

Kyleigh Robinson batted 1-for-2 with one double and one RBI.

Gabby Cole batted 1-for-2 with one run.

Briona Bravo batted 1-for-3 with one run.

Sophia Alcarez scored once.

Sami Alcarez singled.

The Eagles built what proved to be an insurmountable 7-0 lead through the first two innings of play.

“They scored all of their runs with two outs,” Duran said. “If we got the third out, it would have been a big difference in the game. It would have been a lost closer. Our goal was to cut their lead in half. We were unable to do that.”

Asked what the mood was like after the game, Duran said: “Everybody was upbeat. I told them how proud I was of them.”

Vista del Lago lost 12-0 to top-seeded Destiny Christian Academy in the quarterfinals of the playoffs on May 15.

The Eagles posted an 8-16 overall record and placed fifth in the ultra-competitive Capital Valley Conference (4-8) this year.

Ceres High was awarded a home playoff game after reeling off seven straight victories versus conference opponents.

The Bulldogs claimed the WAC title with a 9-8 win against the crosstown-rival Central Valley Hawks in extra innings during the final day of the regular season.

Ceres High avenged a 2-1 loss.

“We had a bump in the road against CV and didn’t give up,” Duran said. “We stayed the course.”

The Bulldogs will lose six players to graduation, including Figueroa, Robinson, Bella Bravo, Gaby Ortiz, Amaia Pritchett and Presley Vierra.

“They’ll be missed,” Duran said. “They brought experience and leadership.”

Ceres High will vie for its fourth straight WAC crown and seventh consecutive playoff berth next spring with a new-look roster.

Sami Alcarez (Jr.), Jackie Guillory (Jr.), Gabby Cole (So.), Sophia Alcarez (Fr.) and Briona Bravo (Fr.) could return to the team.

“We’re up for the challenge,” Duran said.

The Bulldogs continued their winning ways under Duran’s guidance.

The first-year leader had two assistant coaches, including Rayohna Sagapolu (CHS class of 2017) and daughter Andrea Duran (CHS class of 2018).

Sagapolu and Andrea Duran were both members of Ceres High’s 2016 Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III championship team.

“It was fun to get to know everybody on the team,” Marcos Duran said. “I had a great time.”