Ceres High’s softball program has a rich tradition but Central Valley has yet to enjoy a major breakthrough year in the sport.
Expectations are high for the Bulldogs and Hawks this spring thanks to experience and talent.
“This is a really special group,” said Jimmy Bates, first-year head coach of the Hawks. “I could tell day one. Our girls really believe in each other. They got each other’s backs. They get along well. There’s nothing else I can ask for. We’ll try to build something together.”
“It’s a very talented group,” said longtime Bulldogs’ leader Mike Corsaut. “We got very skilled players. They’ve all played travel ball. They love the game. They get along great. They cheer for one another. I enjoy coaching them. It’s so much fun.”
Central Valley returns seven players from last year’s team, including Soriah Corona (Sr.), Janessa Godinez (Sr.), Victoria Lloyd (Sr.), Micaela Martinez (Sr.), Allie Peterman (Sr.), Priscilla Hamidat (Jr.) and Jannet Valencia (Jr.).
The Hawks have eight newcomers: Victoria Molina (Jr.), Brianna Munoz (Jr.), Itzel Romero (Jr.), Adelina Sandoval (Jr.), Jayden Corona (So.), Lexie Rendon (So.), Gabriela Delatorre (Fr.) and Payton McConnell (Fr.).
Kylie Maines and Julia Roton were both lost to graduation.
Lloyd, Godinez and Martinez all earned Central California Conference honors as juniors.
Lloyd, a third baseman who will continue her softball career at the University of the Pacific, was selected to the CCC First Team.
She batted .424 from the plate with two homers, one triple, six doubles, 12 RBIs and eight runs.
Godinez, a pitcher/shortstop, was selected to the CCC Second Team.
She batted .286 with one triple, three doubles, four RBIs, seven runs, nine walks and five stolen bases.
Godinez posted a 4-6 record in the circle with 32 strikeouts in 64 innings.
Martinez, a utility player, was Central Valley’s CCC Sportsmanship Award winner.
She batted .270 with three doubles, six RBIs, five runs and five stolen bases.
“The girls are very coachable and receptive to how we’re trying to mold the program,” Bates said. “They showed up ready to work with great attitudes. The competitiveness and focus hasn’t wavered.”
Ceres High returns eight players from a season ago, including Tatum George (Sr.), Natalie Gomes (Sr.), Kareli Hernandez (Sr.), Emma Johnson (Sr.), Sehren Martinez (Sr.), Alize Cole (So.), Ava Montesdeoca (So.) and Nani Sagapolu (So.).
The Bulldogs have six newcomers: Haylee Mann (Sr.), Makenna Azevedo (Jr.), Charlize Hernandez (Jr.), Kylie Bond (So.), Bella Bravo (Fr.) and Kyleigh Robinson (Fr.).
Junior pitcher/first baseman Isabela Giraldes will be sidelined this year with a knee-injury sustained in Ceres High’s 7-1 playoff loss to Merced this past spring.
The second-team, all-Western Athletic Conference selection batted .511 from the plate with one homer, five triples, nine doubles, 43 RBIs, 26 runs and seven stolen bases as a sophomore. She had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.290.
Giraldes posted a 4-3 record with a 3.85 ERA and 38 strikeouts while logging playing time at pitcher.
Brooklyn Heffernan, Alayna De La Torre and Celeste Leon all graduated.
Heffernan, a three-time league MVP, earned a softball scholarship to San Francisco State.
Martinez, Montesdeoca and Cole all earned WAC honors last spring.
Martinez and Montesdeoca were both first-team, all-league selections.
Martinez, a shortstop, batted .441 with one homer, three triples, nine doubles, 19 RBIs and eight stolen bases. She had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.230.
Montesdeoca, a second baseman, batted .587 with two homers, two triples, 10 doubles, 24 RBIs, 50 runs and 21 stolen bases. She had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.435.
Cole, an outfielder, was named to the WAC Second Team.
She batted .506 with four homers, three triples, eight doubles, 36 RBIs and 30 runs.
Cole had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.369.
“Losing a player like Brooklyn is a huge loss,” Corsaut said. “But we’ll be just fine. Somebody always steps up.”
Ceres High has won six league titles in the past nine years.
“There’s always a target on our back,” Corsaut said. “Everybody is going to play their best when they play us.”
The 2022 Bulldogs amassed a 19-9 overall record, finished second in the Western Athletic Conference with a 12-2 mark and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs.
Ceres High’s league schedule includes home-and-away games against Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Los Banos, Pacheco, Lathrop and Mountain House.
“Nobody has as much talent as we do,” Corsaut said. “I honestly believe we’ll be the team to beat in the WAC. We’re going to compete for the league championship. But it will be up to the girls. The desire to win has to be there. They have to continue to work hard.”
Central Valley compiled a 7-16 overall record and placed a program-best fourth in the Central California Conference (5-7) a season ago.
The Hawks dropped out of playoff contention late in the year.
Central Valley’s conference schedule includes home-and-away games against Patterson, Atwater, Buhach Colony, Merced, Golden Valley and El Capitan.
The Hawks took third in the WAC South standings (8-7) in 2021.
Central Valley amassed a 41-69 record while showing marked improvement during Regina Selfridge’s six years as head coach. She stepped down to work on completing her master’s degree.
“There was a really solid base that was built,” Bates said. “The biggest change has been getting the girls to believe in each other and play together.”
This will be Bates’ first heading coaching position at the varsity level.
He was head JV baseball coach at Ceres High last season. He was an assistant at the varsity level during the 2019-20 and 20-21 school years.
He was a varsity football assistant for wide receivers in 2020 and 2021.
Bates teaches ninth-grade math at Central Valley.
“I’ve been around baseball or softball since I was 7 years old,” the 2014 Ceres High grad said. “Softball is a sport I really love. I appreciate the beauty and speed of the game. It’s a lot faster.”
