The Ceres Sizzle 14-and-under travel softball team fell one win shy of advancing to the finals of its home tournament.

Ceres amassed a 2-2 record at the Sizzle Summer Classic, staged July 6-8, at George Costa Ball Field Complex.

“We played great defense all weekend,” head coach Misty Roton said.

Manteca Knockout knocked Ceres out of the tournament with a 5-4 victory on July 8.

The Sizzle scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“Our bats didn’t wake up until the last inning,” Roton said. “It was too late.”

Ceres beat the Atwater All-Stars (13-3) and Manteca Knockout (3-0), and lost to the Calaveras Rampage (3-2) at the Sizzle Summer Classic.

The Sizzle have placed in two tournaments this season.

Ceres took first in the Silver Bracket at the USSSA State Tournament in Manteca.

The Sizzle finished second at the NSA Memorial Day Classic in Sonora.

Ceres will compete in the USSSA Queen of Diamonds Tournament, July 21-22, in Turlock.

“We’ll be ready to hit this weekend,” Roton said.