Ceres High varsity softball pitcher Vaneza Hoover threw her second straight no-hitter in as many starts on Thursday, stunning University of Georgia bound strikeout queen Erin Arevalo and defending Valley Oak League and Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV runner-up East Union 1-0 at Northgate Complex.
Hoover, a right-handed junior, struck out six with just one walk.
"I don't think I've ever seen her so determined," Bulldogs coach Donnie Donaldson said. "She pitched an excellent game. She didn't allow one ball to leave the infield. It was amazing."
Ceres High gained a small measure of revenge against the Lancers. East Union won twice by a combined three runs last year. Arevalo pitched a perfect game during the second meeting.
"It sets a standard for ourselves now," Donaldson said. "We have to play at that level every single time."
Ceres High tallied the game's lone run in the top of the first inning.
Left-handed slap hitter Mika Johnson led off the game with a bunt single, moved to second on Ryan Norton's slow grounder and scored when Chelsae Lomeli singled to right-center field.
Arevalo shut down the Bulldogs the rest of the way, allowing just one hit. The right-handed senior had 15 strikeouts.
"She really dominated," Donaldson said.
East Union's best scoring chance came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jillian Goulart was stranded at third base when teammate Courtney McCall grounded out to Hoover with two out.
Vaneza pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
Arevalo popped out to Hoover to end the game, setting off a wild celebration.
"It was chaos at first base when Vaneza caught it," Donaldson said. "She burst into tears. There was smiles on everyone's faces."
Ceres High (3-1) moved into a three-way tie for second-place with East Union and Sierra in the VOL standings. Manteca (4-0) has a one-game lead over the Bulldogs, Lancers and Timberwolves.
"We're in a really good position right now," Donaldson said.
Ceres High shut out previously-unbeaten and visiting Sierra 3-0 on Tuesday, April 1.
Hoover fanned seven and walked three over seven innings en route to notching a no-hitter.
"Vaneza understands her role on the team," Donaldson said. "She's really changing into a very mature pitcher."
The Bulldogs will host Oakdale on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Hoover, a right-handed junior, struck out six with just one walk.
"I don't think I've ever seen her so determined," Bulldogs coach Donnie Donaldson said. "She pitched an excellent game. She didn't allow one ball to leave the infield. It was amazing."
Ceres High gained a small measure of revenge against the Lancers. East Union won twice by a combined three runs last year. Arevalo pitched a perfect game during the second meeting.
"It sets a standard for ourselves now," Donaldson said. "We have to play at that level every single time."
Ceres High tallied the game's lone run in the top of the first inning.
Left-handed slap hitter Mika Johnson led off the game with a bunt single, moved to second on Ryan Norton's slow grounder and scored when Chelsae Lomeli singled to right-center field.
Arevalo shut down the Bulldogs the rest of the way, allowing just one hit. The right-handed senior had 15 strikeouts.
"She really dominated," Donaldson said.
East Union's best scoring chance came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jillian Goulart was stranded at third base when teammate Courtney McCall grounded out to Hoover with two out.
Vaneza pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
Arevalo popped out to Hoover to end the game, setting off a wild celebration.
"It was chaos at first base when Vaneza caught it," Donaldson said. "She burst into tears. There was smiles on everyone's faces."
Ceres High (3-1) moved into a three-way tie for second-place with East Union and Sierra in the VOL standings. Manteca (4-0) has a one-game lead over the Bulldogs, Lancers and Timberwolves.
"We're in a really good position right now," Donaldson said.
Ceres High shut out previously-unbeaten and visiting Sierra 3-0 on Tuesday, April 1.
Hoover fanned seven and walked three over seven innings en route to notching a no-hitter.
"Vaneza understands her role on the team," Donaldson said. "She's really changing into a very mature pitcher."
The Bulldogs will host Oakdale on Thursday at 4 p.m.
