The Ceres 14-and-under All-Star baseball team enjoyed a memorable finish to its summer season.

The host All-Stars finished first overall in the Pony Division of the 47th George Costa Tournament, held June 28-July 3, in Ceres.

“It was really amazing to see them win it,” head coach Angel Ramirez said. “I wasn’t expecting that to happen.”

Ceres showed improvement while compiling a 7-6 overall record this year.

The All-Stars placed at all three tournaments it competed in.

The All-Stars took second in Hilmar.

Ceres opened the season with a third-place showing at the Legends of Summer Arsenal Tourney at Costa Fields.

“It was pretty impressive to see the way they progressed,” Ramirez said. 

The All-Stars topped the Ceres Blaze 12-and-under travel team 14-1 in the championship game of the Costa Tournament on July 2.

Ceres avenged a 12-3 loss.

Ezequiel Verduzco hit a grand slam.

“The Blaze were undefeated until they played us,” Ramirez said. “We really wanted this win. We were hitting and scoring more runs. Everybody was on their A-game.” 

The All-Stars posted a 3-2 record at their home tournament.

The All-Stars reeled off three straight wins after opening the tourney with back-to-back losses.

The All-Stars topped the Blaze, Hilmar All-Stars (13-3) and Bel Passi All-Stars (19-2).

The All-Stars lost to the Blaze (12-3) and California 33 All-Stars (8-7).

“The boys stayed positive,” Ramirez said. “They were motivated.”

Ceres’ roster featured 12 players: Verduzco, Nathan Cazarez, Xavier Felix, Isaiah Magana, Mike Mahinay Jr., Gabriel Malagon, Felix Ramirez, Isaiah Reyes, Anthony Trevino, Ezekiel Tubera, Randall Turner III and Mario Vargas. 

“They worked hard and progressed together,” coach Ramirez said. “They always communicated with each other.”

Magana, Ramirez, Reyes and Tubera could return to the team next summer.

Verduzco, Cazarez, Felix, Mahinay, Malagon, Trevino, Turner and Vargas represented the All-Stars for the final time as they’ll enter the ninth grade this fall.

“A lot of these boys are moving on to high school,” Angel Ramirez said. “Some are going to Ceres High, Central Valley and Central Catholic. They got the talent to play.”