The Ceres Sizzle faced seasoned competition at the NSA Baden Shadow Mountain Classic during the weekend of Aug. 3-4 in Sparks, Nev.

The 14-and-under B-division travel softball team compiled an 0-4 record.

"We didn't place," head coach Sonny Nash said. "We tried. The girls played hard. It was a great learning experience for them. They know what it's like to play travel ball. Our No. 1 goal was to be able to compete with the best teams, win or lose."

Seventh-seeded Ceres lost 5-4 to the No. 2 Outlaws in the Championship Bracket on Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Shadow Mountain Sports Park.

The Sizzle lost 8-7 to the Hanks Bombers, 11-1 to the Sparks Storm and 8-6 to the Outlaws in seed play on Saturday, Aug. 3.

"The other teams had more experience," Nash said.

Ceres didn't place in any tournaments this summer.

The Sizzle did show improvement.

"It's disappointing not winning one," Nash said. "But for most of these girls, it's their first time playing travel ball. They improved a lot from where they started and finished. I had a great group. They bonded and had a good time."

Raimee Mendoza, Alycia McDonald, Autianna Baxter, Dalia Esparza, Kiana Garcia, Zee Outly, Destiny Guerrero, Madison Nash, Rainy Prock, Isabel Flores and Hannah King were all counted upon this season.