Ceres High’s softball team improved to 7-6 overall and 3-1 in the Western Athletic Conference this past week.

Central Valley dropped to 8-5 on the season and 2-3 in WAC play.

“We applied some of the things we’ve been working on at practice during the games,” Bulldogs’ leader Josie Heacox stated. 

“We’re one or two losses away from being out of the hunt for a playoff berth,” Hawks’ head coach Jimny Bates said. “Our backs are going to be up against the wall from here on out. We’re going to have to go on a run.”

Ceres High topped host Grace Davis 18-3 in five innings on March 26.

The third-place Bulldogs collected 17 hits against the sixth-place Spartans (3-7, 1-3).

“Our offense really came alive,” Heacox said. “We were hitting the ball.”

Ava Montesdeoca batted 2-for-5 from the plate with two homers, five RBIs and three runs.

Alizae Cole batted 4-for-5 with one homer, one triple, three RBIs, three runs and two stolen bases.

Gabriela Ortiz batted 3-for-5 with one RBI and four runs and four stolen bases.

Kylie Bond batted 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs.

Bella Bravo batted 1-for-2 with one double, one RBI and one run.

Samantha Alcarez batted 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

Cole, Alcarez and Elizabeth Figueroa logged playing time at pitcher.

Cole allowed no runs and one hit with five strikeouts and three walks.

Alcarez allowed no earned runs and no hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Figueroa yielded two runs and two hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Ceres High has won its last three conference games by a combined score of 43-8.

“We came back hungry,” said Heacox, whose team opened WAC play with a 14-9 loss at Livingston. “We’ve been making adjustments. It’s been really cool to see everyone use their tools on their tool belts.”

Central Valley’s comeback attempt fell short during Friday’s 9-7 loss to visiting Lathrop.

Down 9-3, the Hawks scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

“Lathrop threw the first punch,” Bates said. “It took us a while to get back up. We got the tying run to the plate in the final inning. We need to come out with a little more energy in the future.”

The fifth-place Hawks totaled 10 hits versus the fourth-place Spartans.

“It took us too long to adjust to their pitcher,” Bates said. “We started making better contact after the first few innings.”

Central Valley’s Destiny Herrera batted 3-for-4 from the plate with one double, one RBI and two runs against Lathrop.

Valerie Espinoza batted 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run.

Abigail Krauss batted 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run.

Hawk starting pitcher Brooklynn Steeley totaled five strikeouts and two walks in 51/3 innings.

Central Valley defeated Johansen 14-2 in five innings on March 24 in Ceres.

The Hawks scored eight runs in the bottom of the first inning.

“We were able to put some pressure on their defense,” Bates said. “It’s exciting when you’re able to get through the lineup in an inning.”

Central Valley totaled five hits against seventh-place Johansen (1-6, 1-3).

Madelyn Morales batted 1-for-1 with one triple, three RBIs and three runs.

Krauss batted 1-for-1 with one RBI and two runs.

Espinoza batted 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

Steeley started at pitcher. She allowed no earned runs and three hits with five strikeouts and two walks in five innings.

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