By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Blaze 16s claim championship at TPR All-Star Classic
Ceres Blaze 16-and-under
The Ceres Blaze 16-and-under travel baseball team won all four of its games at the July 6-7 TPR All-Star Classic in Ripon and improved to 7-0 on the season.

The Ceres Blaze 16-and-under travel baseball team kept its unblemished record intact.

The Blaze finished in first place at the July 6-7 USSSA TPR All-Star Classic.

The eight-team tournament was staged at the Mistlin Sports Complex in Ripon.

Ceres players took home a team trophy, individual medals and t-shirts. 

“We finally got pushed and faced adversity,” head coach Antone Lopez said. “That’s why we entered this tournament. It was preparation for Pony Super Regionals.”

Ceres won all four of its games and improved to 7-0 on the season.

“I’ve had some good Blaze teams,” Lopez said. “This is the best team I’ve coached. We have a lot of talent. But they also hustle and grind.”

The Blaze rallied for a 9-8 victory over the Hughson BBoyz 16-and-under team in the championship game on July 7.

Ceres erased a 6-1 deficit.

“It was good to see,” Lopez said while talking about his team’s comeback. “They could have thrown in the towel a couple times. They kept battling.”

Ceres tallied three runs in the final inning to secure the win.

Braden Walker drove in the winning run. Walker’s single to right scored pinch-runner Cameron Lopez.

Gabrial Lopez evened the score at 8-8 with a two-run single.

 “We hadn’t been in that situation before,” coach Lopez said. “But I know we have a lot of offensive firepower. It was a matter of us putting hits together.”

Ceres pulled away for a 6-1 win against the San Leandro Rakers 16-and-under team on July 7.

The Blaze beat the Extreme Baseball Anderson 15-and-under team 9-1 on July 6.

Ceres topped the Modesto Divine Swine 15-and-under team 20-0 in three innings on July 6.

The Blaze will compete at the Pony Super Regionals this month in San Jose.

The tournament will got underway on Tuesday.