The Ceres Sizzle eight-and-under travel softball team enjoyed a breakthrough performance while competing at its home tournament this past weekend.
The Sizzle finished first for the first time this season.
Ceres took third at AST and NSA tournaments earlier this summer.
“They were more timid at the plate (in the past),” Sizzle head coach Jessica Lopez said. “Now, they’re more aggressive. We brought in Melissa Whitehead from Rise Softball. She did batting lessons for the team. That helped a lot.”
Ceres collected four wins and one tie at their own tournament.
“It’s been a while since we hosted a tournament,” Lopez said. “We’re trying to bring more softball to Costa Fields.”
The Sizzle compiled a 2-0 record in bracket play.
Top-seeded Ceres edged second-seeded Team Turlock 6-5 in the championship game on Sunday.
“It was a very close game,” Lopez said.
The Sizzle battled back from a 4-0 deficit.
Ceres cut Turlock’s lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the first inning.
“The girls started hitting the ball,” Lopez said. “Our defense stepped up. We were able to come back and win it.”
The Sizzle shut out the Galt All-Stars 9-0 in the semifinals on Sunday.
Ceres won twice and tied once in pool play on Saturday.
The Sizzle and Team Turlock battled to a 5-5 tie.
Ceres posted a 6-2 win against Visalia Heatwave.
The Sizzle opened tournament play with a 13-2 victory over the Galt All-Stars.
“Our defense is pretty good,” Lopez said. “Where we needed help was hitting. The girls did an excellent job on offense. Every girl was making contact and putting the ball in play.”
The Sizzle plan to play in two more tournaments.
Ceres has placed first once and third twice this summer.
Lopez assembled her team following a pair of tryouts in April.
A total of 14 players earned roster spots, including Camila Alvarez, Kinsley Becerra, Remi Carraway, Aliyah Gallegos, Olivia Garcia, Ella Goblirsch, Victoria Gutierrez, Mallory Hedden, Alexia Lopez, Lea Poulos, Preslee Tyler, Zoe Valadez, Juliet Valencia and Emma Yorba.
The Sizzle practiced for the first time in May.
“We have a young team,” coach Lopez said. “We have a lot of new players. They’ve been doing so well.”
