The Fourth Annual Bill Evans Memorial Scholarship/Ceres High Softball Tournament was staged this past month at the George Costa Ball Field Complex.

Evans, who dedicated more than 40 years of his life to coaching college, high school and travel softball, passed away at the age of 63 in June of 2020.

“Bill had a huge impact on the softball community,” said Mike Corsaut, tournament director. “We’re trying to continue his legacy. He loved softball. That’s what he was all about.”

A total of 20 varsity teams competed at the Feb. 19-22 event, including Ceres High, Central Valley, Atwater, Beyer, Big Valley Christian, El Capitan, Gregori, Hughson, Lodi, Los Banos, Merced, Mountain House, Oakdale, Orestimba, Pacheco, Patterson, Riverbank, Sonora, Tracy and Turlock.

“It was a great tournament,” Corsaut said. “The coaches got to evaluate talent before league starts. We were able to earn money for scholarships and CHS softball.”

“Corsaut did a great job running the tournament,” Central Valley head coach Jimmy Bates said. “He made sure everyone was taken care of.”

The host Bulldogs compiled a 3-1 record en route to a runner-up finish in the White Pool.

Ceres High rolled to a 15-0 win over Big Valley Christian on Feb. 22.

Bulldog pitcher Samantha Alcaraz had three strikeouts and no walks. She gave up no runs and two hits over four innings.

Ava Montesdeoca led the way on offense as she batted 1-for-3 with one double, five RBIs and three runs.

Gabriela Ortiz batted 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs.

Alizae Cole batted 1-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.

Ceres High lost 10-0 to Tracy on Feb. 22.

Cole gave up no earned runs and six hits with three strikeouts and two walks at pitcher.

The Bulldogs mustered just four hits on offense.

Montesdeoca batted 2-for-3 from the plate.

Kyleigh Robinson and Illianna Saldana both singled.

Ceres High allowed nine runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Ceres High topped Turlock 4-0 on Feb. 21.

Alcaraz surrendered no runs and four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk while shining a pitcher.

Montesdeoca batted 2-for-3 from the plate with one double, one RBI and one run.

Bella Bravo batted 1-for-2 with one run.

Robinson and Gabriela Ortiz both knocked in one run.

Ceres High bested Hughson 6-1 on Feb. 21.

Cole yielded one run and one hit with eight strikeouts and three walks at pitcher.

She batted 2-for-2 from the plate with one triple and one run.

Elizabeth Figueroa batted 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

Tatiana Ortiz batted 1-for-3 with one double, two RBIs and one run.

The crosstown-rival Hawks won three of four games en route to a second-place showing in the Black Pool.

“I thought it was a good outing for us,” Bates said. “Our pitchers threw strikes. Offensively, we put the ball in play and minimized our strikeouts. Defensively, we’re doing a lot better this year. It’s translated to good results so far.”

Central Valley shut out El Capitan 12-0 on Feb. 22.

Gabriela Delatorre allowed no runs and one hit with 11 strikeouts and four walks in five innings while starring pitcher.

She also helped her own cause by batting 1-for-3 from the plate with one double and two RBIs.

The Hawks totaled 10 hits.

Reylena Herrera batted 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs.

Madelyn Morales batted 2-for-3 with one double, three runs and one RBI.

Abigail Krauss batted 1-for-3 with one double, two RBIs and one run.

Central Valley edged Hughson 6-4 on Feb. 22.

Hawk pitcher Brooklynn Steeley gave up just one earned run and six hits with five strikeouts and no walk in six innings.

Steeley accounted for one of Central Valley’s seven hits.

She doubled.

Krauss batted 1-for-3 with one double, two RBIs and one run.

Morales batted 2-for-3 with one run.

Central Valley lost 11-2 to Los Banos on Feb. 20.

The Hawks collected six hits on offense.

Delatorre batted 2-for-3 with one double and two runs.

Valerie Espinoza plated two runs.

Central Valley cruised to a 10-1 victory against Riverbank on Feb. 20.

Steeley yielded one earned run and no hits with eight strikeouts.

She batted 1-for-2 from the plate with one double and two RBIs.

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

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