Ceres High School's varsity baseball team battled until the final out was registered.
The Bulldogs' comeback bid fell short as they lost 3-2 to non-league opponent Enochs on Wednesday in Modesto.
"Emotions were a little down," Bulldogs head coach John Bussard said. "Their minds are elsewhere. I'm partly to blame for that. Our sights are set for next week. That's all we care about."
A day earlier, Ceres High players watched crosstown-rival Central Valley upset previously-unbeaten Central Catholic 6-2 in Western Athletic Conference play.
The first-place Bulldogs (20-4-1, 10-0) hold a one-game lead over the second-place Raiders (19-5-1, 9-1) heading into the final week of the WAC season.
Ceres High and Central Catholic will meet twice this week.
The Bulldogs want to end the Raiders' six-year run of capturing WAC titles.
"We were at the (Central Valley-Central Catholic) game," Ceres High standout Brandon Arevalos said. "We were there scouting. We had a feeling they'd be able to pull it off because they gave us a good game. It takes some of the pressure off. We feel like we have destiny in our hands."
Enochs snapped Ceres High's six-game winning streak.
The Eagles scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning and one in the fifth.
The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning.
Ceres High had runners on first and second base when Brent Bussard grounded into a double play to end the game.
"I'm not disappointed," coach Bussard said. "We gave ourselves a chance to win."
The Bulldogs struggled on offense, posting a team-batting average of .208.
Ceres High collected just five hits.
Arevalos singled.
Pernetti batted 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.
Brad Bussard batted 2-for-3 with one run.
Alan Marquez batted 1-for-3 with one RBI.
"We were focused," Arevalos said. "But we were more excited about next week. Honestly, it would be the best feeling in the world if we get first."