Crosstown-rivals Central Valley and Ceres High faced off in four varsity sports this spring, including baseball, softball, boys volleyball and stunt cheer.
The Hawks had a 1.000 winning percentage versus the Bulldogs.
Central Valley had a combined record of 6-0 against Ceres High.
BASEBALL
Central Valley continued its run of dominance versus Ceres High.
The Hawks extended their unbeaten streak versus the Bulldogs to eight games after earning a two-game sweep.
“Our confidence is high when we go against Ceres High,” Central Valley head coach/former Bulldogs’ multi-sport standout athlete Brad Bussard said. “We haven’t lost to them in four years.”
“I felt like we were ready,” Bulldogs’ leader Raul Godinez said. “I’m not sure what happened. It was a good learning lesson for us.”
Central Valley edged Ceres High 6-5 in 11 innings on March 2 at Art McRae Field.
“We showed what we’re capable of,” Godinez said. “It was a battle. That’s what I expected for the second and first game.”
Hawk Isaias Valdovinos batted 1-for-6 from the plate with one double, one RBI and one run.
Edmund Stewart batted 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run.
Fernando Dominguez chipped in with one RBI and one run.
Josiah Sandoval batted 3-for-4 with one run.
Edgar Peralta batted 2-for-6 with one double and one run.
Caiden Whittle collected one RBI.
Raul Hernandez scored one run.
Nicholas Dominguez and Fernando Dominguez both logged playing time at pitcher.
Nicholas had six strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
He allowed no earned runs and two hits.
Fernando yielded no runs and two hits with two strikeouts and one walk in five innings.
Kyan Bowen led Ceres High’s offense as he batted 2-for-5 from the plate with two doubles, one RBI and two runs.
Daniel Davis and Diego Mariscal both batted 2-for-5 with one run.
Austin Maines batted 1-for-6 with one RBI and one run.
Ernesto Miranda batted 1-for-6 with one RBI.
Bulldog pitcher Zachary Van Atta allowed four runs, including two earned, with five strikeouts and one walk in four innings.
Ceres High battled back from a 5-1 deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Central Valley’s Fernando Dominguez accounted for the winning run.
He scored from third base when Stewart drew a bases-loaded walk with one out in the top of the seventh inning.
“We had plenty of opportunities,” Godinez said. “We had guys on base in the eighth, ninth and 10th innings. They made some defensive plays. They didn’t let the pressure get to them.”
Host Central Valley routed Ceres High 14-1 in five innings on March 1.
“Our guys did what they needed to do,” Bussard said. “They did a good job of putting the ball in play.”
“We got hit in the mouth and didn’t answer back,” Godinez stated. “The guys checked out early. I was surprised.”
Chris Garcia led the Hawks’ offense as he batted 3-for-3 from the plate with one double, two RBIs and two runs.
Juan Alonzo batted 2-for-3 with one double, two RBIs and one run.
Peralta batted 1-for-2 with two RBIs and one run.
Whittle batted 2-for-3 with two runs.
Valdovinos batted 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run.
Angel Calderon batted 1-for-1 with one double, one RBI and one run.
Mason Whitworth collected one RBI and one run.
Dominguez and Stewart both scored twice.
Gabriel Reyes drove in one run.
Andre Flores singled and scored once.
Central Valley pitcher Juan Alonzo gave up just two hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in two innings.
Bulldog Ernesto Miranda batted 1-for-2 from the plate with one run.
Carson Ulrich batted 1-for-2 with one double.
Ceres High pitcher Brayden Clark allowed three hits with one strikeout and three walks in 21/3 innings.
The Hawks scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and eight in the third en route to building a commanding 11-0 lead.
Central Valley has won eight straight games against Ceres High dating back to the 2021 season.
“It’s a credit to our kids,” Bussard said. “We’ve been blessed to get some talent.”
SOFTBALL
The Hawks beat the Bulldogs in the sport for the first time in program history.
Central Valley opened the 2024 season with a 9-8 home win over the Bulldogs on Feb. 23.
The Hawks improved their head-to-head record versus the Bulldogs to 1-28.
The two teams faced off for the first time in 2007.
“It was such a cool moment to be a part of,” Central Valley second-year head coach Jimmy Bates said. “With the girls being so young, they didn’t know what they did.”
“It’s been a great run,” Ceres High leader Mike Corsaut said. “I knew eventually it would happen. All great things come to an end. I tip my hat to them.”
The Hawks and Bulldogs combined for 25 hits on offense.
Central Valley collected 12 hits.
Reylena Herrera batted 3-for-4 from the plate with one double, three RBIs and one run.
Gabriela Delatorre batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.
Valerie Espinoza batted 2-for-4 with two runs.
Brooklyn Steeley batted 1-for-3 with two runs.
Payton McConnell batted 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run.
Priscilla Hamidat batted 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Abigail Krauss batted 1-for-3.
The Bulldogs totaled 13 hits.
Elizabeth Figueroa batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs.
Illianna Saldana batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Ava Montesdeoca batted 2-for-4 with two runs.
Kylie Bond batted 1-for-4 with one double, one RBI and one run.
Alizae Cole batted 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
Nani Sagapolu batted 2-for-3 with one run.
Calista Mann and sophomore Makaela Brown both scored once.
Steeley was the winning pitcher.
She allowed eight runs—six earned—and 14 hits with two strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.
Cole gave up nine runs—two earned—and 11 hits with two strikeouts and one walk while starting at pitcher for the Bulldogs.
Ceres High contributed to its own downfall by committing seven errors on defense.
Down 8-5, Central Valley tallied four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the victory.
“We put the ball in play and put pressure on them,” Bates said. “
Herrera accounted for the winning run when she scored from third base on a passed ball. She was mobbed by Hawk teammates and coaches at home plate.
“It was a really awesome moment for our team,” Bates said.
Corsaut praised Bates after the rivalry game.
“We shook hands and shared a hug,” Bates said. “He congratulated me for the moment. It was really nice of him to do that.”
“We hung out and talked,” Corsaut said. “I congratulated him. It’s a great win for them. I root for CV except for when they play CHS.”
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Central Valley won a pair of matches versus Ceres High.
The Hawks prevailed by scores of 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-23) and 3-1 (25-17, 26-24, 8-25, 25-16) in preseason play.
“Overall, we played some of our best games,” Central Valley head coach Ryan Donnelly said. “We played with high energy and a lot of confidence. We executed a lot better. We were all on the same page.”
STUNT CHEER
The Hawks topped the Bulldogs 18-7 on Senior Night at El Capitan High School on April 23.
“The team members being so uplifting, positive and having confidence in each other helped lead CV to the victory,” Central Valley head coach Erika Guillory said.
“They worked as a team—all doing their parts to achieve the same goal—to perform well and win,” she added. “I’m very proud of the CV stunt team’s growth in two years and look forward to the program’s future.”
