The Minden All-Stars won the Dixie Softball Darlings (8U) World Series Tuesday in Fairview, Tenn.
Minden, representing Louisiana as the state champion, defeated the Georgia All-Stars twice to win the title, 9-7 and 3-1.
In the first game, Minden rallied from a 6-4 deficit, scoring five runs in the top of the fourth.
That victory forced the decisive second game in the double-elimination tournament.
In the second game, Minden scored two in the top of the first and added one in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. Georgia put runners at first and second with one out in the bottom of the fifth. But after a popup and groundout, the celebration began.
Minden played outstanding defense. There were several nice catches. The crisp fielding was followed by bullet throws for force outs.
Minden’s only loss was to Georgia 5-0 in the winners’ bracket final. They rebounded with a 10-3 victory over Alabama in an elimination game to reach the championship round.
Minden opened the 10-team tournament with a 4-3 victory over South Carolina, rallying from a 3-0 deficit after two innings.They followed that with a 12-7 victory over Alabama before falling to Georgia.
The World Series champion team members are Evie Vise, Lexie Perryman, Harper Barnette, Annabel Sunderland, Laikyn Hollingsworth, Fallyn Hollingsworth, Laikyn Lewis, Willow Still, Ellie Speer, Brooklyn Sunderland, Aubrey Chanler and Stella Perryman.
Coaches are Tyler Lewis, Matt Chanler, Riley Hollingsworth, Logan Hollingsworth, Jason Sunderland.
It’s the second year in a row a Minden team has won a World Series. Last year, Minden took the Angels (10U) championship.