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Mixed results for CHS, CV
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Ceres High School's varsity softball team lost by shutout for the second time in three games this past week.

The Bulldogs dropped to 2-3 in the Western Athletic Conference standings following Thursday's 3-0 loss at Central Catholic.

Ceres High struggled on offense. The Bulldogs stranded eight runners on base against the Raiders.

"We had some good situations with good hitters up and didn't execute," Ceres head coach Donnie Donaldson said. "You got to credit Central Catholic's pitcher (Briana Rios). She did a phenomenal job."

Rios, who will play softball at Santa Clara University next spring, scattered seven hits and fanned four in seven innings. The Bulldogs grounded out 11 times.

Briana got out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the sixth inning. Cierra Hammons, Ceres High's final batter, struck out looking. Rios froze Hammons with a full-count changeup.

"It was a gutsy call," Donaldson said.

Ryan Norton and Kaycee Creek, Ceres High's top two hitters, batted a combined 0-for-7 against Rios.

Alexis Cummings doubled and singled.

Jessica Ellsworth collected a pair of singles.

Taiylor Sakurada had a double.

Hammons and Camrynn Broumas both singled.

Creek, Ceres High's ace pitcher, allowed one earned run and five hits with four strikeouts.

The Bulldogs committed two errors. The Raiders (3-2) made just one.

Ceres High will play host to crosstown-rival Central Valley this Thursday at 4 p.m.

BOYS GOLF

Central Valley High School varsity boys golf standout Anthony Bonales won the individual title at the WAC Mid-Year Tournament on Thursday, March 31 in Patterson.

Vince Tomao, Ian Couture, Tyler Story, David Brazil and George Borden helped lead Ceres High to a second-place finish in the team standings.

The Bulldogs (491) were edged out by Central Catholic.

Los Banos (492), Patterson (554), Central Valley (559) and Livingston (626) took third, fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

"I knew we'd finish behind Central Catholic but I didn't think we'd be that close," Ceres High head coach Scott Smith said. "They beat us by 25 strokes at Dryden earlier this season."

Bonales, a freshman, fired an 8-over-par 80 on Diablo Grande's par-72 Ranch Course.

Hawk teammates Alex Alvarez and Aaron Del Campo posted identical scores of 117.

Central Valley's Favian Guzman and Robert Lerma shot 120 and 125, respectively.

Tomao placed second with an 84.

Couture, Story and Brazil had 99s.

Borden carded a 110.

Vince overcame a horrific start by parring 12 of the final 15 holes.

"He kept his composure," Smith said. "He just made some bad choices early."

Smith treated his players to In-N-Out Burger after their strong showing at the WAC Mid-Year tourney.

"They performed very well," he said. "I'm happy."

BASEBALL

Central Valley High School's varsity baseball team dropped a pair of league games to Los Banos last week.

The host Tigers shut out the Hawks 2-0 on Friday and moved into a three-way tie for first place with Central Catholic and Ceres High.

Los Banos improved to 6-2 in the WAC standings.

Central Valley fell to 2-6 in league play.

The Hawks have lost their last six conference games, including four by shutout.

"I've never been through anything like this as a player or coach," head coach Greg Magni said. "We have tried everything in terms of jump starting the offense and nothing's worked. We have good players. For some reason, we're not executing."

Hawk pitcher Jeremy Lasater turned in a respectable performance during Game 2. The southpaw allowed one just earned run, scattered seven hits and struck out three over six innings.

"If you pitch that good, you should win," Magni said. "We just couldn't get him any runs."

The Hawks will play at Ceres High today and host the Bulldogs on Friday. Both games will begin at 4 p.m.

"I have a lot of respect for their coaching staff and players," Magni said. "We know they're good. It's just another challenge for us."