New Bern softball team to compete in Babe Ruth World Series

A local softball team has fought their way through district, state, and regional tournaments and will now compete in this year's Babe Ruth World Series in Florida.

New Bern 8u All-Stars, a girl's eight-year-old and under softball team defeated Davidson County, ranked number one in the regionals, with a score of 18 to 13 during the Babe Ruth Southeast Tournament championship game held this past weekend in Clemmons.

The win earned the team the title of South East Region Champions. They are now the No.1 team on the South East coast.

"We are so proud of our girls and we can't wait to see what they do at the World Series," said Melissa Wright, president of New Bern Babe Ruth Softball.

The girls competed in a district tournament in Smyrna representing District 5 which includes teams from Havelock, Newport, Down East, Swansboro, Western Park, Pamlico County and New Bern. They went undefeated with 52 runs in four games, allowing only 10 runs scored.

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Winners and runner-ups from the District 8 tournaments then competed in the state tournament. The tournament lasted four days and the girls played a total of seven games with wins against Washington, Wilmington and Havelock. They lost in pool play against Jamesville by two runs during pool play, bracket play and in the semi-finals, leading the team to finish 3rd in the eastern part of the state.

During the South East Regionals, which includes Florida, Georgia, Eastern N.C., Western N.C., South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, their first game was played against Jamesville. They won with a score of 6-4.

They also won against South West 15-0. They lost to Davidson County and Glen Allen. During the semi-finals, the girls came back to defeat the No. 2 ranked Glen Allen 22-to 16 which led to a game against No. 1 ranked Davidson County. At game end, the girls won with a score of 18 to 13, making the team eligible to compete in the Babe Ruth World Series.

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A celebration was held Monday at Creekside Park but the team is now in need of help from their community.

Expenses for the trip amount to nearly $40,000, with less than two weeks to raise the funds. The team is required to stay in tournament lodging which means the cost for 13 families over a period of 10 days. Other requirements include three jerseys per player, turf shoes, media days, interviews, banners, gas, transportation, and food.

"It's a lot to take on in 10 days trying to raise $40,000," Wright said. "We're going to do our best."

The 8u Babe Ruth Softball World Series will be held from July 28 through Aug. 6.

Donations can be made through the team's Go Fund Me page, Cash App to $nbbaberuth or by mail to NBBRSB, P.O. Box 14183 New Bern, NC 28561. For more ways to donate, contact Melissa Wright, president, at 252-474-3809.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: New Bern girls 8u softball team to compete in Babe Ruth World Series