Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s softball programs had a combined 12 players earn all-conference honors for their outstanding play during the springtime.
Jimmy Bates, first-year leader of the Hawks, was also recognized.
Bates, Victoria Lloyd, Janessa Godinez, Micaela Martinez, Jannet Valencia, Gabriela Delatorre, Priscilla Hamidat and Allie Peterman were rewarded for leading the Hawks to their first league title in program history.
Central Valley amassed a near-perfect 11-1 record en route to claiming the Central California Conference championship.
“I’m really happy,” Bates said. “They were deserving of the recognition they got.”
Bates was voted CCC Coach of the Year at the league’s year-end head coaches’ meeting on May 24 at Buhach High School.
Bates was quick to praise his players and assistant coaches (Brandy Cordova and Audel Valencia).
“It’s a testament to everybody being willing to buy into something bigger than themselves,” he said. “Everyone had to sacrifice throughout the year. Everybody cared about each other.”
Lloyd, a senior infielder, was named the CCC’s Offensive Player of the Year.
She batted .638 from the plate on the year with six homers, three triples, 13 doubles, 39 RBIs, 33 runs and 10 stolen bases. She had an on-base percentage of .641.
“Victoria was the most-feared hitter in the entire league,” Bates said.
Lloyd also earned first-team all-league accolades as a junior and sophomore.
She’ll continue her playing career at UOP in Stockton.
“She’s an uber-talented player,” Bates said. “She can barrel any pitch you throw her. She’ll do what’s best for the team by her actions.”
Godinez, Martinez and Valencia were selected to the CCC First Team.
Godinez, a senior pitcher, compiled a 17-3 record on the season with a 3.90 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 1162/3 innings.
She showed tremendous improvement following a 4-6 mark in league play as a junior.
“Without Janessa, there’s no way we have the year we had,” Bates said. “She was the heartbeat of our team. She led by example. She was always positive. She threw every inning that mattered for us. That’s hard to do.”
Godinez batted .421 from the plate with one homer, one triple, eight doubles, 16 RBIs, 38 runs and 19 stolen bases.
Martinez, a senior second baseman, batted .520 with two homers, eight doubles, 28 RBIs, 32 runs and 19 stolen bases.
She excelled despite being slowed by a knee injury sustained midway through the season.
Martinez hit three-run, walk-off homer in Central Valley’s 7-5 victory over Golden Valley on March 31.
“Micaela found ways to step up in the biggest moments,” Bates said. “She has a Bulldog mentality.”
Valencia, a junior shortstop, batted .436 with six doubles, 19 RBIs, 33 runs and 25 stolen bases.
“She was the sparkplug we needed this year,” Bates said. “She had a lot of clutch hits. She was one of our best competitors at the plate. She was an elite defender. She made some plays that made your jaw drop.”
Delatorre and Hamidat were named to the CCC Second Team.
Delatorre, a freshman first baseman, batted .392 with six homers, two triples, five doubles, 28 RBIs, 30 runs and 13 stolen bases.
She hit four of her home runs during conference play.
“She stood out day one,” Bates said. “She proved she was more than deserving to be a varsity player. Her bat is undeniable. I think she’s capable of more. I’m excited to watch her grow these next three years.”
Hamidat, a junior outfielder, batted .391 with one triple, four doubles, 26 RBIs and eight runs.
“Having that type of bat at the bottom of the lineup was awesome,” Bates said. “She was super clutch.”
Peterman, a senior utility player, was named Central Valley’s CCC Sportsmanship Award winner.
She batted .432 with one triple, eight doubles, 12 RBIs, 29 runs and 19 stolen bases.
“You couldn’t ask for a better kid to have on the team,” Bates said. “She had some moments. She showed leadership for us. She was never worried about her stats. She was more worried about whether we won or lost.”
Sehren Martinez, Ava Montesdeoca, Alizae Cole, Nani Sagapolu and Kylie Bond were rewarded for leading Ceres High to a share of the Western Athletic Conference crown (11-3).
“I’m happy for them,” Bulldogs’ head coach Mike Corsaut said. “They were all deserving.”
Martinez, Montesdeoca and Cole were named to the WAC First Team.
“They were the motor that drove us,” Corsaut said. “They pretty much led the team in everything.”
Martinez, a senior shortstop, batted .554 from the plate on the season with two homers, seven triples, 11 doubles, 31 RBIs, 32 runs and eight stolen bases.
She made just two errors on defense.
Martinez will continue her playing career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
“Her production was higher this year,” Corsaut said. “She’s one of the best shortstops to come through Ceres. She ranks up there with Meghan Franksen and Sis Bates. She’s a great player.”
Montesdeoca, a sophomore second baseman, batted .605 with three homers, triples doubles, 10 doubles, 24 RBIs, 41 runs and 17 stolen bases.
She had an on-base percentage of .644.
“You can’t ask for more from your leadoff hitter,” Corsaut said. “She did everything. Plus, she’s great defensively.”
Cole, a sophomore, contributed at pitcher and first base and in the outfield.
She batted .414 with two homers, three triples, six doubles, 31 RBIs, 27 runs and 10 stolen bases.
She compiled a 6-5 record in the circle with a 2.33 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 57 innings.
“Alizae pitched well,” Corsaut said. “She hit for power.”
Sagapolu and Bond were selected to the WAC Second Team.
Sagapolu, a sophomore third baseman, batted .373 with one triple, four doubles, 17 RBIs and 17 runs.
“She’s a hard worker,” Corsaut said. “She does the little things right. She’s a team player. She’s fun to be around.”
Bond, a junior, posted a 9-2 record with a 3.56 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 742/3 innings.
“She wasn’t planning on pitching this year,” Corsaut said. “I needed her to pitch and she stepped right in. She did a really good job. She had most of our wins in the circle. She didn’t surprise me. She’s been taking lessons from Jimmy Dyson for years. The girl knows how to pitch. She keeps the ball down and away. She’s very smart.”
