The Ceres Sizzle 14-and-under travel softball team concluded its summer campaign this past month.

The Sizzle competed at the National Softball Association (NSA) Western World Series, staged July 26-30, in Reno.

"It was a great experience for the players," head coach Misty Roton said.

Ceres lost 6-0 to the NBO Warriors of Sacramento and 2-0 to the Salinas Wildcats on July 28, and 11-0 to the SoCal Bullets and 11-4 to the Candy Rebels of Oregon on July 27 at Golden Eagle Regional Park.

The Sizzle were outscored, 30-4.

"Going into the World Series, I felt the girls would hold their own," Roton said. "But we were down a pitcher so I was also aware that it would be an uphill battle. Overall, I feel that our team did well. We played four games, and though we lost them all, they were hard-fought games. In the end, it was not pitching that did us in. Our bats were just not hot."

The NSA Western World Series was staged in hot weather as temperatures climbed above 100 degrees.

Sizzle players gulped water and Gatorade, and feasted on fruit during tourney play.

"We had the girls drink lots of water the whole week leading up to the tournament and they were told not to drink soda," Roton said.

The Sizzle secured a berth to the NSA Western World Series after taking second at the Merced Fastpitch Challenge.

Ceres also placed second at the Sonora Memorial Day Classic.

Alyssa Amos, Emily Bare, Angelique Cochran, Larynne Holland, Maya Macias, Lacie Nycum, Isabella Pelayo, Julia Roton, Bethanie Thornberry, Zoey Walton and Jessica Whitney suited up for the Sizzle this summer.

"I believe we have a strong core and if we work hard and stay together we can compete next year at a higher level," coach Roton said.