The team includes Erin Brown, Annalise Hughen, Kayley Wilson, Savannah Terrapin, Caitlin Bishop, Ashley Gallman, Brooke Maxwell, Lauren Maxwell, Morgan Barker, Alex August, Brittney Carr, Bailey Newman, and Jessi Weir. The coaching staff includes Doug Frye, Steve Evans, Jess Terrapin, and Randy Newman. In the opinion of coach Doug Frye, the over- achieving Sandhill Slammers, who are headed to the USA/ASA National Championships in Sioux Falls, SD, aren't just "the little team that could."

They are the "little team that will."

With eight players eligible to compete in the 14- and- under division, the team and coaches elected to play "up" in 16U to gain valuable experience and prepare for next year, where they hoped to make a run at the national championships.

Instead, the Slammers won the ASA Class A State Championship in Spartanburg this year, and are representing South Carolina in Sioux Falls for the national championships, beginning on July 26.

Proud parent and business manager Dale Barker said the trip to Sioux Falls has surpassed any dreams that he had for the team this year.

Brooke Maxwell slides safely into second base. "I don't think that any of us could imagine that our little 'girls of summer' would one day represent our state before the largest collection of softball coaches, players, parents and fans in a national tournament," he said. "We do not know where the road will take us, but we do know where we have been, and my prayer is that they will be able to reflect on the summer of 2009 as one that generated a lot of great memories."

Frye, who coaches softball during the regular season at Cardinal Newman School, although thrilled with the national bid, said he believes that these girls are no patsies.

"You ask me what weaknesses these girls have and I will tell you that there aren't any," Frye said. "We have everything you'd want in a team - solid hitting, great pitching, and great attitudes."

Some members of the team have been playing together for eight years, while others are recent additions. The teens play for a variety of schools throughout the area - a representative from Spring Valley, Blythewood, White Knoll, and Manning, with two each from Camden, Edisto, Lexington and three from Cardinal Newman.

Coach Steve Evans talks with Caitlyn Bishop. "There's not a team that we can't beat, and we've proved that this summer in several tournaments," Frye said. "I don't know what to expect when we get to South Dakota, but I expect that these girls are going to hold their own."

The eight- day tournament will begin with pool play for the first two or three days, with teams seeded in brackets in accordance with their records. With four to five pitchers available, solid hitting, and stellar defense, Frye said he feels confident that the team will compete deep in the tournament.

They have already won several area contests against older teams, including last weekend's 18U "Summer Sizzler" in Aiken, when the Slammers advanced through the loser's bracket to capture the overall championship. They are an astounding 23- 3 in the last five tournaments, with four overall championship wins and one second- place finish.

"This is a special bunch of kids here," Frye said. "Every single one of them could be playing in college someday."

The team is still raising money to finance the trip to the nationals. Donations can be made to a non- profit organization formed to raise money for the journey, which is expected to total almost $15,000. Sponsorship levels are as follows: Home Run/Platinum $1,000; Triple/Gold $500; Double/Silver $250; and Single/Patron $100.

Checks should be made to Sandhill Youth Sports and mailed to Dale Barker, 116 Pond Ridge Road, Columbia, SC 29223.