Little Lady Braves shine bright at World Series

The 8U Heard County Parks and Recreation All-Star Softball team (L-R): Lily Cantrell, Kassie Calhoun, Chloe Barber, Lila Barber, Alyssa Cannon, Kynleigh Morton, Aubree Kee, Lidia Vollrath, Kaylee Costley, and Alexa Thomaston (Photo courtesy of Natalie Barber)

(Southaven, MS) — Heard County’s 8U all-star coach pitch softball team enjoyed an experience of a lifetime recently when they traveled across to states to compete at the 2019 Dizzy Dean World Series.

The Little Lady Braves made a strong showing going 3-2 in the double-elimination tournament to claim a strong fourth place finish among the 15 8U teams that participated in the four day event.

The hometown girls jumped out to a great start on Saturday wining their first two games. In game one they defeated Houston, MS. 11-8 and in game two they outlasted Clarksdale in a shootout winning by a final score of 17-11.

The girls enjoyed a night out before getting right back to action Sunday afternoon where they dropped a close defensive battle 4-2 versus Union Chapel.

The Little Lady Braves were not done yet though as they bounced back Monday for a strong 10-7 elimination game win over Bolivar before finally being eliminated from contention Tuesday morning by eventual World Series Champion Caledonia in a game that began Monday afternoon but was postponed due to severe weather.

Caledonia went on a remarkable run to take the title after dropping their very first game and having to battle back to win eight consecutive elimination games to become the champs.

It was a superb showing by the Heard County girls playing very far away from home and with the only two losses coming versus the champions and the runners-up.

Head coach Steven Calhoun was proud of his hard-working little girls. “We took a family approach this year and were a very close team — I commend every one one of the girls for working hard, practicing hard and playing hard and we give God all the credit,” said Calhoun after the tournament.

Heard County Recreation Department Director Kathy Scott traveled over to catch some of the weekend action and was likewise very impressed by the fight shown by the young Heard County softball stars. “They played really well — especially considering they only had 10 players to make the trip which added more pressure with no players on the bench. These girls looked like they belonged out there with the best, ” said Scott.

The 8U All-Star team included first baseman Lily Cantrell, Kassie Calhoun, Chloe Barber, Lila Barber, Alyssa Cannon, Kynleigh Morton, Aubree Kee, Lidia Vollrath, Kaylee Costley, and Alexa Thomaston.

Assistant coaches for the team included Jennifer Kee, Russ Barber, and T.J. Calhoun.