The Western Athletic Conference varsity baseball season is winding down.
The top three teams advance to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV playoffs.
Ceres High inched closer to securing a postseason berth with an 8-5 win over host Los Banos in steady drizzle last Wednesday.
The Bulldogs and Tigers combined to make eight errors, including six by LB.
"The biggest key was blocking out the weather," Ceres High head coach John Bussard said. "It rained the whole game. We were able to minimize our mistakes and capitalize on theirs."
The second-place Bulldogs (6-3) moved one game ahead of Patterson (5-4) in the WAC standings.
Ceres High trails first-place Central Catholic (9-1) with three games to play.
"We're really focused on getting the No. 2 seed for playoffs," Bussard said. "Mathematically, we still have a shot at winning the league title. But CC would have to lose their remaining games."
Bulldog pitcher Haydon Turpin tossed his fifth complete game of the season and improved his overall record to 9-3 (4-1 in league). He had five strikeouts and one walk. He allowed five runs, four earned, and seven hits. Turpin made his last start five days earlier as Ceres High posted an 11-1 victory over crosstown-rival Central Valley.
"Strategically, it was the best matchup for us," Bussard said. "Haydon's got a rubber arm. He recovers really quickly. He's a competitive guy. He'll find ways to get things done."
Ceres High had five different players collect at least two hits against Los Banos.
Jimbo Pernetti batted 2-for-2 from the plate with three runs.
Sophomore Jimmy Bates batted 2-for-4 with one double and two runs.
Brandon Arevalos batted 2-for-4 with two runs.
Freshman Brent Bussard finished 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Devon Ruger went 2-for-4 with one RBI.
A.J. Fontana had two RBIs.
Turpin singled and knocked in two runs.
Freshman Brad Bussard chipped in with one single and one RBI.
Ceres High will play its final three conference games at home.
The Bulldogs host Patterson today, Livingston on Friday and Central Catholic on May 8.
All three games will start at 4 p.m.
"It looks like we're going to make the playoffs," coach Bussard said. "If we take care of business these next two games, we secure the two spot. We control our own destiny."
The top three teams advance to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV playoffs.
Ceres High inched closer to securing a postseason berth with an 8-5 win over host Los Banos in steady drizzle last Wednesday.
The Bulldogs and Tigers combined to make eight errors, including six by LB.
"The biggest key was blocking out the weather," Ceres High head coach John Bussard said. "It rained the whole game. We were able to minimize our mistakes and capitalize on theirs."
The second-place Bulldogs (6-3) moved one game ahead of Patterson (5-4) in the WAC standings.
Ceres High trails first-place Central Catholic (9-1) with three games to play.
"We're really focused on getting the No. 2 seed for playoffs," Bussard said. "Mathematically, we still have a shot at winning the league title. But CC would have to lose their remaining games."
Bulldog pitcher Haydon Turpin tossed his fifth complete game of the season and improved his overall record to 9-3 (4-1 in league). He had five strikeouts and one walk. He allowed five runs, four earned, and seven hits. Turpin made his last start five days earlier as Ceres High posted an 11-1 victory over crosstown-rival Central Valley.
"Strategically, it was the best matchup for us," Bussard said. "Haydon's got a rubber arm. He recovers really quickly. He's a competitive guy. He'll find ways to get things done."
Ceres High had five different players collect at least two hits against Los Banos.
Jimbo Pernetti batted 2-for-2 from the plate with three runs.
Sophomore Jimmy Bates batted 2-for-4 with one double and two runs.
Brandon Arevalos batted 2-for-4 with two runs.
Freshman Brent Bussard finished 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
Devon Ruger went 2-for-4 with one RBI.
A.J. Fontana had two RBIs.
Turpin singled and knocked in two runs.
Freshman Brad Bussard chipped in with one single and one RBI.
Ceres High will play its final three conference games at home.
The Bulldogs host Patterson today, Livingston on Friday and Central Catholic on May 8.
All three games will start at 4 p.m.
"It looks like we're going to make the playoffs," coach Bussard said. "If we take care of business these next two games, we secure the two spot. We control our own destiny."
