The Ceres Sizzle 14-and-under travel softball team enjoyed a memorable end to its spring season.
The Sizzle claimed the Spring Youth Softball League Playoff championship in Modesto.
The four-team tournament was staged on May 22 at the Rainbow Sports Complex.
“We did it so convincingly,” head coach Jeff Graham said.
Fourth-seeded Ceres edged the third-seeded Keith Roper-led Sizzle 12s 18-1 in the title game.
“We like them,” Graham said. “They’re our sister team. We’ve played them all throughout the season. They’re younger. They’re not as experienced.”
The Sizzle upset the top-seeded Hughson Athletics 11-0 in the semifinals.
“Hughson had a strong pitcher,” Graham said. “She would be a starter on most varsity, high-school teams. My girls struggled against her at first. As the season progressed, we started smashing the ball.”
Ceres accomplished its goal by finishing first overall during the Spring Youth Softball League Playoff Tournament.
“We had high expectations,” Graham said.
“We had a really good vibe going into playoffs,” he added. “It was nice getting back all of our players. They enhanced our team.”
Ceres compiled a 9-6 record during Spring Youth Softball League play at Rainbow Fields.
The Sizzle were awarded the No. 4 seed for playoffs after winning seven of 13 games during the regular season.
“We had some ups and downs,” Graham said. “There were times we played with seven or eight players. We were missing five to six girls who were still in high school. It was tough at times. But the girls played well. The younger players had to step up and they did.”
Shelby Alves, Love Arballo, Genevieve Armenta, Brooklynn DeHart, Payton Graham, Janessa McClure and Savannah Vasquez made up the core of the Sizzle team.
“We had a lot of fill-in players,” coach Graham said. “When we got the high-schoolers back, we were firing on all cylinders. It made us a stronger team.”
McClure, Ceres’ main pitcher, missed the final month of the season after having gallbladder surgery.
Vasquez filled in for McClure.
“We relied on the youngest player on our team,” Jeff Graham said. “She pitched phenomenal.”
