Perry Junior League Belles cruise through state, bound for WS in La.

They’re off to Louisiana for a little late summer vacation fun and a whole lot of softball.

The Perry Junior League 15 & under Belles demolished Southeast Daugherty in two games on June 28 to win the Georgia Dixie Youth championship at Ochlahatchee Park. With that comes Georgia’s spot in the Dixie Youth World Series, Perry earning this distinction for the second year in a row. This year’s event runs Aug. 1-7 in Ponchatoula, La.

In the state games at its home park, Perry Junior League won by scores of 21-1 and 10-0, each game going the required five innings before any mercy rules took effect. Manager Kristi Rich said both teams came out hitting, but Perry Junior League got the better in terms of drawing walks and getting hit by a pitch.

Top hitters were Taylor Boynton and Ashley Gidney, each with four. Getting three were Savannah Osborn, Kaitlyn Albritton and Hannah Otto.

“Their girls could hit,” said Rich about the opposition. “But our defense did what it was supposed to do.”

Because of that, the Perry pitching allowed just four hits in the two games. Gidney and Kendall Nutgrass, Rich’s main pitchers, did not allow a run between them and struck out eight hitters.

After the team enjoys the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Rich said the team will get back on the practice field for the near-month long preparation process for the World Series. What they also need to do, she said, is raise the money needed to help pay for this trip. Rich said they are seeking sponsors, $100 will get a business or individual on the team’s t-shirt while $250 will get the name on the shirt as well as the banner.

There are also activities the players themselves will take part in to earn tips, like busing tables at Chick-fil-A and car washes, though Rich said those dates have yet to be set.

To help sponsor the PJL Belles, contact Rich at 478-308-0981 or Janet Thompson at Bank of Perry, which has the team’s account.

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