Ceres High School's varsity baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Valley Oak League rival Sierra with an 8-7 victory on Monday in Manteca.
It was the Bulldogs' eighth straight victory-fourth in a row in conference play.
Ceres High (12-8-1, 6-4) remains in the hunt for a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth.
"These kids believe they can win," Bulldogs head coach Bret Durossette said. "That's a big part of the game."
Sierra (10-8, 5-4) almost secured a split with Ceres High.
The Bulldogs won the second game despite blowing a 6-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, Ceres High's Mark Schwark drew a two-out walk and later scored on a passed ball to tie the score at 7-7.
With two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Bulldog leftfielder Brent Ward threw out the potential winning run at home plate. Sierra's John Perez barreled into Ceres High catcher Wes Ward, who managed to hold onto the ball.
"It was do or die," Durossette said. "If Brent doesn't throw a no-hop strike, we lose the game. It was a perfect shot. It's what you see on ESPN."
The Bulldogs defeated the Timberwolves in extra innings.
Nick Welsh singled, stole second and scored on Josh Edwards' clutch hit.
Junior pitcher Dustin Baisdon picked up the win in relief. He had two strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth inning.
"He wanted the ball even though he threw Friday," Durossette said.
Ceres High starting pitcher Tyler Cummings tallied seven strikeouts in six innings.
Bulldog second baseman Matt Cardelli led the way on offense with a two-run homer.
Wes Ward belted a solo shot.
Ceres High will battle Manteca this week. The Bulldogs host the Buffaloes on Thursday at 4 p.m.
"We're finding ways to win," said Durossette, whose team hasn't lost a game in 26 days.
It was the Bulldogs' eighth straight victory-fourth in a row in conference play.
Ceres High (12-8-1, 6-4) remains in the hunt for a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth.
"These kids believe they can win," Bulldogs head coach Bret Durossette said. "That's a big part of the game."
Sierra (10-8, 5-4) almost secured a split with Ceres High.
The Bulldogs won the second game despite blowing a 6-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, Ceres High's Mark Schwark drew a two-out walk and later scored on a passed ball to tie the score at 7-7.
With two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Bulldog leftfielder Brent Ward threw out the potential winning run at home plate. Sierra's John Perez barreled into Ceres High catcher Wes Ward, who managed to hold onto the ball.
"It was do or die," Durossette said. "If Brent doesn't throw a no-hop strike, we lose the game. It was a perfect shot. It's what you see on ESPN."
The Bulldogs defeated the Timberwolves in extra innings.
Nick Welsh singled, stole second and scored on Josh Edwards' clutch hit.
Junior pitcher Dustin Baisdon picked up the win in relief. He had two strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth inning.
"He wanted the ball even though he threw Friday," Durossette said.
Ceres High starting pitcher Tyler Cummings tallied seven strikeouts in six innings.
Bulldog second baseman Matt Cardelli led the way on offense with a two-run homer.
Wes Ward belted a solo shot.
Ceres High will battle Manteca this week. The Bulldogs host the Buffaloes on Thursday at 4 p.m.
"We're finding ways to win," said Durossette, whose team hasn't lost a game in 26 days.
