Roundup: Ceres & Pacheco softball host ‘strikeout against cancer’ game in WAC contest

Ceres and Pacheco continued Western Athletic Conference play with their second matchup of the season Thursday afternoon, but for Bulldogs coach Mike Corsaut, the most important part of the day happened before the game.

Ceres hosted the second NFCA Strikeout Cancer game this season. Pacheco hosted the first event when the two schools played at the Los Banos school March 26.

Daniel Maldonado, a member of the Pacheco coaching staff, worked with Corsaut to coordinate the game and fundraiser. Both teams wore special jerseys. Pacheco’s were primarily pink and Ceres donned white jerseys with white trim.

“It was just important that we honor the people today,” Corsaut said. “Because cancer touches everybody.”

Five representatives that have either overcome or are currently battling cancer threw out first pitches before the game and the Ceres and Pacheco JV and varsity teams took a picture together before the WAC contest.

It is a game that hits close to home for the Ceres community and Corsaut. The longtime Ceres High softball coach says a little over a year ago, he lost his father to cancer and he lost a good friend, Scotty Smith, April 12 at the age of 55. Smith was a staple in the Ceres community and a 1986 Ceres High graduate, according to the Ceres Courier.

“It’s sad that he’s gone,” Corsaut said to the Courier. “But he’s not in pain anymore. He left an amazing legacy. If more people were like Scotty, this world would be a better place. … It was an honor to coach with him and be his friend. I’m so grateful I got to know him.”

The Bulldogs got off to a hot start, scoring twice in the first inning, adding five runs in the second and scoring three more runs over the next two innings to finish the game in five innings. Ceres put together nine hits with three extra-base hits. Pitcher Alizae Cole pitched a shutout.

The win moved Ceres to 10-1 in WAC play, keeping them in the hunt for first place and a league title. Next week will determine if the Bulldogs can claim the outright league title after sharing the championship with Los Banos in 2023.

“This game helps to get ready for next week,” Corsaut said. “We’ve got two really big games next week … that determines who’s gonna win league, and we’ve got to take care of business.”

Softball

Central Catholic 4, Manteca 2: Sophomore Madison Harrison tallied three hits with a single, a double and a solo home run to center field. Freshman Brooklyn Nicholls drove in a game-high two runs and was one of three players with a double. The Raiders and Oakdale are tied for first place in the Valley Oak League.

Ceres 10, Pacheco 0: Alizae Cole, Isabela Giraldes and Kyleigh Robinson each doubled for the Bulldogs, who remained in control of first in the WAC with their ninth league win. Cole drove in a game-high for runs and also pitched, striking out nine batters and allowing just one hit in five shutout innings.

Oakdale 8, East Union 0: Raegen Everett, Morgan Wright and Presley Barnes each drove in a pair of runs as the Mustangs rolled to a VOL win. Wright recorded a double, Barnes hit a home run and Madi Bohannon recorded a triple in the win.

Mountain House 3, Beyer 1: Sophomore Alanna Verges drove in Beyer’s only run in the sixth inning, tying the game with the WAC No. 1 team at 1-1. The Patriots gave up a pair in the top of the seventh inning and could not tie the game in the bottom half.

Modesto 7, Pitman 4: Sophomore Nichole Aguirre drove in a game-high three runs for the Panthers. With the win, Modesto earns its fourth league victory. Pitman’s Ella Underwood also drove in three runs.

Big Valley Christian 22, Elliot Christian 0: Three Lions recorded multi-RBI outings and two players hit a home run. Big Valley has won five straight contests and remains a perfect 4-0 in CCAA play.

Gregori 7, Enochs 4: Kailey Estes struck out 14 batters for Gregori as the Jaguars stayed unbeaten in CCAL play through 12 games. Kylee Huff finished with three hits with a double and a home run and Ariana Aguirre had two hits with a two-run homer. Natalie Camarena hit a pair of home runs for Enochs.

Turlock 9, Downey 3: Cadence Campbell drove in three runs for Turlock and had a double. Chloe Dias went 5-for-5 with three doubles and three RBI to lead the Bulldogs past Downey.

Ripon Christian 14, Waterford 3: The Knights put up five runs in the first inning and six runs in the sixth to break open Thursday’s Southern League contest against Waterford. Three players recorded two RBI and Kara Koolhaus produced a team-high three hits.

Baseball

Central Valley 5, Merced 4: Five Hawks combined for six hits, led by sophomore Caden Mendonca’s two-hit outing. Central Valley scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, one run in the fourth and added a pair in the fifth to secure the win.

Golden Valley 13, Patterson 3: Tyler Thorp (2 RBI) and Caden Lozano (1) drove in Patterson’s only runs as it split the season series with sixth place Golden Valley. The Tigers maintain the CCC’s second place spot with two league games left.

Hughson 11, Livingston 1: JC Lupercio and Jayden Espinoza each finished with two hits and two RBI to lead Hughson to its 10th straight overall win and eighth straight TVL victory.

Escalon 17, Modesto Christian 4: Five of the Cougars’ 10 hits went for extra bases as Escalon earned the TVL victory over the Crusaders. Jamin Miller finished with a game-high four RBI and Lorenzo Texeira drove in three runs.

Ripon 4, Hilmar 3: Ripon earned the series sweep on the road against Hilmar Thursday. Ripon scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead and picked up three outs without allowing a run in the bottom half to secure the victory.