By Brian Nowlin

The Prince Edward-Farmville Youth Association (PEFYA) Angels X-play All-Stars are heading to Moore County, N.C., this weekend to participate in the Dixie Angels X-Play World Series.

The team opens play in the double-elimination tourney at noon Saturday against Mississippi.

This will be the first girls team from PEFYA to participate in the World Series. The group advanced to World Series play by winning the 2015 Angels X-Play state tournament several weeks ago in Buckingham. 

The girls defeated Buckingham 20-5 in their opening game Friday evening.  The girls returned to action early Saturday morning, defeating Charlotte County 18-1 and again that evening, defeating Montgomery County 11-0. 

The three impressive wins secured a spot in the Monday night championship game, where PEFYA beat Montgomery County 4-1.  PEFYA went undefeated in the tournament and outscored its opponents 54-7. 

This year’s team is a very experienced team, as most have been playing together for several years.

Offensively, PEFYA got hits from every girl on the team. Leading the offense during the state tournament were Alyson Lucas, Kyla Edmonds, Alani Walton and Danner Allen.  

Defensively, the team was led in the outfield by Olivia Elam, DeDee Dupuy, Jayla Ford, Sydney Baldwin, Mallory Brown and Brooke Conwell.  The team played errorless ball, with Conwell even throwing a girl out at first base from right field. 

Behind the plate, Summer Boettcher and Edmonds kept base runners from stealing, routinely making excellent throws to second base. Infield play was led by Walton, Edmonds, Meredith Schmidt, Lucas and Allen. 

In the circle, PEFYA got great performances from Allen, Lucas, Edmonds and Walton. For the tournament, Allen pitched six shutout innings and had 14 strikeouts.  Lucas pitched seven innings and had seven strikeouts. Edmonds and Walton both came on in relief and did an excellent job, allowing Allen and Lucas to save innings, as each pitcher is only allowed 11 innings in the tournament.  

For the tournament Edmonds pitched one and a third innings of shutout ball and had two strikeouts.  Walton pitched one and two thirds innings and had two strikeouts.

The team has been actively fundraising to make the trip to the World Series.

Coach James Allen stated, “The team is appreciative for all the donations from local businesses, civic organizations, and private citizens, as well as all of the kind words of encouragement and support.”