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Ceres Sizzle claims fourth championship in Manteca
Ceres Sizzle in Manteca
The Ceres Sizzle 14-and-under travel softball team won its fourth tournament championship earlier this month in Manteca.

The Ceres Sizzle 14-and-under travel softball team continued its run of success this fall.

The Sizzle claimed its fourth championship by taking first in the Silver Bracket of the 18-and-under Think Pink Tournament, staged Oct. 8-9, at Northgate Park in Manteca.

“We’ve been doing really well,” head coach Nikole Ferrel said. “We’ve been hitting consistently through the lineup. Our pitchers have done a great job. Our defense has improved so much.”

Ceres compiled a 3-1-1 record.

“Our goal was to compete and we did,” Ferrel said. “I’m not surprised. Although they’re young, they have confidence and believe in each other. They trust each other. They’re like sisters.”

The Sizzle bested both of their opponents in the Silver Bracket.

Top-seeded Ceres pulled away for a 12-7 win over the CenCal Angels in the title game on Oct. 9.

The Sizzle scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

“It was really competitive,” Ferrel said. “It was back and forth the first four innings. We knew it was going to be a good game.”

Ceres stranded eight runners on base while battling to a 1-1 tie with CenCal in pool play.

“Our pitchers did a really good job against them both days,” Ferrel said.

Des Sorci starred at pitcher. 

She had eight strikeouts in six innings. 

Sorci allowed three earned runs and scattered nine hits.

“Des wants the ball every game,” Ferrel said.

Ceres posted a team batting average of .444 versus the Angels.

The Sizzle totaled 12 hits.

Bella Bravo led the way, finishing 3-for-3 with a career-high seven RBIs and three runs.

“Her individual growth has been big,” Ferrel said. “It goes back to her confidence.”

Sorci batted 1-for-2 with two walks.

Gaby Ortiz batted 3-for-3 with four runs and one walk.

Kyleigh Robinson batted 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Chloe Moreno batted 1-for-3 with one run.

Makaela Brown had one RBI and one walk.

Amaia Ferrel and Tatiana Ortiz each collected one hit.

“Everybody stepped up,” coach Ferrel said. 

Ceres defeated the Mavericks 6-2 in the semifinals on Oct. 9.

The Sizzle accumulated one win, one loss and one tie in pool play on Oct. 8.

Ceres beat the Mavericks (6-2) and tied the Angels (1-1).

The Sizzle lost by one run (5-4) to the Vallejo Mayhem.

Ceres improved to 17-5-1 on the year.