World Series bound!

By Staff
Hartselle's Darlings All-Stars advance to national championship in Albemarle, N.C.
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle's Darlings (7-8) All-Stars did it again! They came out of the loser's bracket to defeat Butler two games in a row Monday night to win a 2007 Alabama Dixie Softball championship and move on to the Dixie World Series. They will continue their run for a national title in Albemarle, N.C. on July 21.
The same team came up with a similar whirlwind finish in the district tournament at the Grady and Margie Long Softball Complex. They dropped an opening round game to Decatur American and then defeated the same team two games in a row in the finals to win the district title.
In the championship doubleheader, Hartselle never trailed. They won the first game 6-3 and the second game 8-1. In earlier contests, they lost to Butler in Saturday's opening round10-7, defeated McCalla 5-3 in the opening round of the loser's bracket and reached the finals by defeating Covington County 17-16 Sunday night.
To commemorate their achievement the team received a large state championship trophy and each player received an individual trophy and a certificate of participation.
"I knew we had something special when we put this team together after the regular season," said Manager Danny Ikard. "They put the bat on the ball and played exceptional defense."
"They also play with a lot of heart and have a way of fighting back hard when their backs are against the wall."
Ikard said plans are for the team to make the eight-hour drive by automobile on Friday, July 20. They are scheduled to play their first game at noon the following day.
Team members are Brooklyn Wallace, Callie Partlow, Gracie Poe, Reagan Martin, Makenzie Parker, Reagan Bowling, Rose Braun, Tori Blaylock, Laninya Wiggins, Megan Zuck, Haley Mitchell and Courtney Blackwood. Coaches are Tim Martin, Derek Parker and Brian Wallace.