ORLANDO, Fla. — The Dr. Phillips Little League Senior Softball All-Stars are heading to the Regional Tournament after sweeping the Florida State Tournament.
The excitement is building as the players prepare to take their Central Florida pride to Tennessee, while keeping their focus on one game at a time.
“I’m so excited… such a special group of girls,” said Abby Shoemaker, a player. “And it’s so much fun just to see how we’re all improving and we’re all getting to know each other more and more every single day.”
Shoemaker says every hit, every practice and every game has led them to this moment.
“We’re always in the right mindset. We always stay confident and ready to do whatever we need to do to win the game. And then, you know, hopefully you guys go to the World Series,” said Shoemaker.
The Dr. Phillips Little League Senior Softball All-Star team is made up of players ages 13 to 16 from Dr. Phillips, Olympia and Lake Buena Vista High School.
During the school year, they’re competitors on opposite sides of the field, but now they’ve put those rivalries aside to chase one common goal.
“So the plan is never to think anything other than we’re going to be trying to make a run for the World Series, but you try to keep your focus on one game at a time,” said Michael Roy, the team’s manager.
Roy says getting to this point didn’t happen overnight. He says the team has worked hard, making a name for themselves and opening up new beginnings.
“I believe this is the very first state title for Doctor Phelps Little League for any of our softball teams. So it’s an extreme honor to be able to be part of that,” said Roy.
The team is heading to Clarksville, Tennessee, and their first game is Friday. They’ll take on a team from West Virginia as they begin their regional tournament run with hopes of advancing to the World Series.