HANOVER COUNTY, Va. — The Atlee Junior Softball All Stars are headed to their league’s World Series later this week after storming through their Southeast Regional this past weekend in North Carolina.
They went 3-0, beating their opponents by a combined score of 29-1 and will now head to Kirkland, Washington for this weekend’s World Series which will feature teams representing Asia, Pacific, Central, and Canada among others.
More than half of the girls on the team will be making their first ever airplane ride early Friday morning when they leave RIC for Washington. The enormity of their accomplishments is only starting to sink in.
"With all the havoc of us getting ready to leave and go across the country, it's been exciting" said Atlee manager Scott Currie.
Hanover county, and the Atlee area in particular, has become a hotbed for softball talent in Virginia. The Lady Raiders at Atlee High have won three straight state championships, and all four of the county high schools have strong programs. This team is trying to maintain that success.
"These girls have seen those other girls come through" Currie said. "They are seeing that, want to do that and keep it going."
This particular group has mostly been together for the better part of the last six years, winning four state championships in that time.
Their Southeast journey began defeating Tennessee 20-1, when they captured the lead in the first inning. They continued the winning streak against Florida, 2-0, when Leslie Currie held Florida to only five hits.
Finally, despite multiple rain delays, Atlee overcame West Virginia in a 7-0 victory. Leslie Currie held West Virginia to only six hits and going 3 for 3 at the plate, for a run and 3 RBIs. Reagan Hill was 2 for 2 at the plate scoring 2 runs. Kelly Ayer, Julia Mardigian and Jessica Russell were all 2 for 4, each with an RBI. Ayer and Mardigian each scored two runs.
Atlee Little League has also set up a GoFundMe page to help with some expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/atlee-little-league-allstars-2017
