The Ceres Sizzle 10-and-under travel softball team took fifth at the NSA Pacific Coast Western Nationals this past week in Modesto.

The Sizzle compiled a 1-4 record at the double-elimination tournament, which was staged July 26-30 at Rainbow Fields.

“There were a couple teams that were a little better than us,” Ceres head coach John Harris said. “The girls played really well. They fought hard. They didn’t give up.”

The Atwater Flight knocked the Sizzle out of the tourney with an 8-7 victory in the loser’s bracket on July 29.

“We were one of two teams that played three games on Saturday,” Harris said. “The girls were a little tired.”

Ceres battled back from a 4-0 deficit versus Atwater.

“We almost had it,” Harris said. “We were right there. We had the tying and winning runs on second and third base.”

The Sizzle appeared to score the tying run late in the game on a passed ball. But the umpire determined the ball was fouled off so the baserunner had to return to third base.

The run should have been allowed because the batter didn’t make contact with the ball. It deflected off home plate according to Harris.

“We walked off the field disappointed,” he said. “We didn’t want to go home at that moment.”

Ceres defeated the Bakersfield Hot Shots 7-1 and lost 11-3 to the Warriors in the elimination bracket on Saturday.

The Sizzle collected five hits and committed no errors against Bakersfield.

“Everybody played well,” Harris said. “We cashed in on every opportunity.”

Ceres dropped a pair of games in pool play.

The Sizzle lost 12-4 to the Warriors and 12-6 to the Flight.

Ceres compiled a 16-20-2 overall record this year.

“They learned a lot,” Harris said. “They’re definitely growing. They’ll continue to get better.”

Ceres competed in nine tournaments during the 2023 season, which spanned three-plus months.

The Sizzle placed second three times.

Ceres’ roster featured 13 players.

Serenity Johnston-Arteaga, Lysette Beltran, Vanessa Berber, Audrina Garcia, Bailey Harris, Mia Morales, Alayiah Resendiz, Hailey Sainz, Layla Scott, Lizzy Shawo, London Torres, Malaiah Victory and Dyzier Walderrama all contributed.

“Most of the team will be moving up to 12u,” coach Harris said. “Hopefully, we have a good showing.”