The Ceres Sizzle 10-and-under travel softball team claimed its second straight championship last month.

Ceres won all five of its games, including four by the mercy rule, at the April 12-13 Welcome to Lodi Tournament.

“They definitely exceeded expectations,” head coach Jessica Lopez said. “We’re a first-year, 10-and-under team. We started playing 10u in the fall as an eight-and-under team. It was way more challenging. You have to develop your batters and pitchers (in this age group).”

The Sizzle outscored their opponents, 63-6.

“That’s pretty wild,” Lopez said. “Our bats were on fire.”

“We’ve been working more on the mental side of the game,” she added. “That’s makes a big difference.”

Ceres posted a 14-2 win against the Merced Diamond Devils in three innings during the championship game on April 13.

The Sizzle collected 15 hits.

Remi Carraway and Alexia Lopez both drove in three runs.

Jayleen Peña batted 3-for-3 from the plate.

“Everyone was aggressive at the plate and put the ball in play,” coach Lopez said.

Zoe Valadez was the winning pitcher. 

She allowed two runs and two hits with three strikeouts and two walks in two innings.

Ceres coasted to an 11-1 four-inning victory over the Stockton Lightning in the semifinals on April 13.

The Sizzle exacted revenge.

“We faced them earlier in the year,” Jessica Lopez said. “They beat us two times in a tournament. I saw a change in player confidence this game.”

Ceres collected 17 hits.

Carraway and Amaya Alfaro both plated three runs.

Kinsley Becerra was the winning pitcher.

She allowed one run and three hits with five strikeouts and no walks in three innings.

Ceres compiled a 3-0 record in pool play.

The Sizzle beat the Fairfield Hyenas 8-1 on April 12.

“It was our closest game of the tournament,” coach Lopez said. 

Ceres topped the Modesto Pacific Breeze 14-2 in three innings on April 12.

Ceres defeated Turlock 16-0 in three innings in the first round of the tournament on April 12.

“Seeing their growth has been impressive,” Jessica Lopez said. “I thought we’d see this sort of success toward the end of next fall because we’re so young.”