The Ceres Sizzle 14-and-under travel softball team appeared headed for a runner-up finish at the NSA Baden Shadow Mountain Classic.
Third-seeded Ceres got out of a bases-loaded, no-out in the bottom of the seventh inning and emerged with a 9-5 international tiebreaker victory over the fourth-seeded Carson Valley Hot Shots on Aug. 5 in Sparks, Nev.
"It was a tough fight but we did it," Sizzle head coach Dima Ferrel said. "My girls never gave up."
Ceres forced extra innings in jaw-dropping fashion. Pitcher Shania Cisneros, catcher Adryana Knights and first baseman Rachel Arruzet combined for a crowd-pleasing 1-2-3-2 triple play.
"I thought we were going to lose," Ferrel said.
The Sizzle scored four times in the top of the eighth inning.
Cisneros and Knights both had RBI doubles.
Twin sister Ariel Knights had a two-run triple.
Cisneros (six innings) and Julie Rosas (two innings) split time at pitcher.
Julie started and lasted just two innings thanks to a sore arm.
"It's the best game we've ever played," Ferrel said.
Ceres topped second-seeded Ripon Rampage 8-3 in the semifinals.
The Sizzle avenged a 12-1 loss.
"We played a total different game," Ferrel said. "We were more focused. The first game, we made a lot of errors. The heat in Reno is different. It affected them. It was very humid. We weren't prepared for that."
Ceres posted a 2-1 record in pool play on Aug. 4.
The Sizzle reeled off two straight wins after losing to Ripon.
Ceres beat the Hot Shots (10-6) and Reno Maniax (4-3).
The Sizzle brought home a team trophy and individual medals from Nevada.
Ceres has placed in every tournament it's competed in this summer.
The Sizzle won titles in Newman, Hilmar and Sparks, and finished third at Rainbow Fields twice.
Third-seeded Ceres got out of a bases-loaded, no-out in the bottom of the seventh inning and emerged with a 9-5 international tiebreaker victory over the fourth-seeded Carson Valley Hot Shots on Aug. 5 in Sparks, Nev.
"It was a tough fight but we did it," Sizzle head coach Dima Ferrel said. "My girls never gave up."
Ceres forced extra innings in jaw-dropping fashion. Pitcher Shania Cisneros, catcher Adryana Knights and first baseman Rachel Arruzet combined for a crowd-pleasing 1-2-3-2 triple play.
"I thought we were going to lose," Ferrel said.
The Sizzle scored four times in the top of the eighth inning.
Cisneros and Knights both had RBI doubles.
Twin sister Ariel Knights had a two-run triple.
Cisneros (six innings) and Julie Rosas (two innings) split time at pitcher.
Julie started and lasted just two innings thanks to a sore arm.
"It's the best game we've ever played," Ferrel said.
Ceres topped second-seeded Ripon Rampage 8-3 in the semifinals.
The Sizzle avenged a 12-1 loss.
"We played a total different game," Ferrel said. "We were more focused. The first game, we made a lot of errors. The heat in Reno is different. It affected them. It was very humid. We weren't prepared for that."
Ceres posted a 2-1 record in pool play on Aug. 4.
The Sizzle reeled off two straight wins after losing to Ripon.
Ceres beat the Hot Shots (10-6) and Reno Maniax (4-3).
The Sizzle brought home a team trophy and individual medals from Nevada.
Ceres has placed in every tournament it's competed in this summer.
The Sizzle won titles in Newman, Hilmar and Sparks, and finished third at Rainbow Fields twice.
