Jonathan Montez and the Ceres High varsity baseball team broke a five-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over Downey on Monday at Art McRae Field in Ceres.
The sophomore southpaw allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked one in leading the Bulldogs past the Knights in a rain-shortened game.
"This is definitely one of his best outings," said Ceres coach Tim Williams. "His offspeed and curveball pitches were working. The offspeed pitch was key for him. That set up everything."
Ceres improved to 10-12 overall, 4-9 in the Modesto Metro Conference.
Downey fell to 10-13 overall, 5-8 in the MMC standings.
The game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning. It started to hail several minutes soon after.
"We still would have won if we went the full seven innings," said Ceres outfielder Brandon Gresham as pea-sized hail pelted the top of the home dugout.
Added Williams: "We played five good innings. Defense was solid. And we finally got some hits with runners in scoring position."
Ceres scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Tyler Tresenrider lined a double to the left-field fence and scored on Luis Malagon's single to left-center.
The Ceres/Downey contest was supposed to start at 3:30 p.m. There was a 30-minute delay because of heavy rain.
Dawgs lose in 16 innings
Coach Williams cut Wednesday's practice short by an hour so his players could recuperate.
"The kids were tired," he said.
On Tuesday, May 3, Downey catcher Chris Goodnight hit a homer over the left-field fence in the bottom of the 16th inning to give the Knights a 2-1 win over the Bulldogs. The game, which was held in Modesto, lasted 4 hours, 12 minutes.
"I can't be disappointed with the way the kids played," Williams said. "They played hard. We just came out on the short end of the stick."
Bulldog starter Derrick Goblirsch went nine innings. He retired four Knights via strikeout.
Downey starter Blake Smith lasted eight innings. He fanned 14 Bulldogs.
"Blake's a power pitcher," Williams said. "You expect him to get more strikeouts."
Downey took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Ceres evened the score at 1-all in the fifth. Malagon scored on Ray Sewell's infield single.
"It's not like both teams didn't have opportunities to score," Williams said. "We were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position." - By DALE BUTLER / Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier
The sophomore southpaw allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked one in leading the Bulldogs past the Knights in a rain-shortened game.
"This is definitely one of his best outings," said Ceres coach Tim Williams. "His offspeed and curveball pitches were working. The offspeed pitch was key for him. That set up everything."
Ceres improved to 10-12 overall, 4-9 in the Modesto Metro Conference.
Downey fell to 10-13 overall, 5-8 in the MMC standings.
The game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning. It started to hail several minutes soon after.
"We still would have won if we went the full seven innings," said Ceres outfielder Brandon Gresham as pea-sized hail pelted the top of the home dugout.
Added Williams: "We played five good innings. Defense was solid. And we finally got some hits with runners in scoring position."
Ceres scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Tyler Tresenrider lined a double to the left-field fence and scored on Luis Malagon's single to left-center.
The Ceres/Downey contest was supposed to start at 3:30 p.m. There was a 30-minute delay because of heavy rain.
Dawgs lose in 16 innings
Coach Williams cut Wednesday's practice short by an hour so his players could recuperate.
"The kids were tired," he said.
On Tuesday, May 3, Downey catcher Chris Goodnight hit a homer over the left-field fence in the bottom of the 16th inning to give the Knights a 2-1 win over the Bulldogs. The game, which was held in Modesto, lasted 4 hours, 12 minutes.
"I can't be disappointed with the way the kids played," Williams said. "They played hard. We just came out on the short end of the stick."
Bulldog starter Derrick Goblirsch went nine innings. He retired four Knights via strikeout.
Downey starter Blake Smith lasted eight innings. He fanned 14 Bulldogs.
"Blake's a power pitcher," Williams said. "You expect him to get more strikeouts."
Downey took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Ceres evened the score at 1-all in the fifth. Malagon scored on Ray Sewell's infield single.
"It's not like both teams didn't have opportunities to score," Williams said. "We were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position." - By DALE BUTLER / Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier
