The Ceres Sizzle 10-and-under travel softball team ended its summer season on a positive note.

The Sizzle won four of five games while finishing in first place at the Aug. 4-5 NSA Back to School Bash Tournament at Rainbow Fields in Modesto.

“It was our last tournament of the summer,” head coach Nicole Ferrel said. “They wanted to play their best.”

Ceres exacted revenge en route to claiming the championship.

“Seeing the excitement on their faces was exciting,” she said.

The Sizzle edged Tracy United 9-8 in the finals on Aug. 5.

“We always want to take first,” Ferrel said. “I was happy to see them make the adjustments and see them play the way that they can.”

The Sizzle erased a two-run deficit by scoring five runs in the top of the fifth inning during the second meeting. Makayla Brown’s three-run homer gave Ceres a 7-6 lead.

“I’m not surprised,” Ferrel said. “Hitting is our strong point. Anytime you can bat through your lineup, you’re doing something right.”

Tracy’s comeback attempt fell short in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Sizzle pitcher Amaia Ferrel tallied a strikeout to end the game.

“It was a really exciting game,” coach Ferrel said. “We did a lot of things right.”

Ceres reeled off four consecutive victories after losing 10-6 to Tracy United.

The Sizzle defeated Tracy All-American twice (5-1, 8-2) and Calaveras Rampage once (9-6).

Ferrel, Brown and newcomer Peyton Shook all pitched for Ceres.

Ceres amassed a 25-8 overall record.

“This was supposed to be a building year based on the age of our players,” Nicole Ferrel said. “Each individual got better.”

The Sizzle won titles in Modesto, Ceres, Oakdale and Riverbank, and finished third in Turlock and Newman.

“Not bad for a rec ball team,” coach Ferrel said. “We showed we could compete wherever we went.”

Ceres will begin its fall season this September.

The Sizzle will compete in five tournaments.

Ceres’ roster will feature seven returners and a handful of newcomers.

 “We have a whole another year at 10u,” Nicole Ferrel said.