Chasing History: Ruston 6U Softball looking to make some noise at Dixie Softball World Series

RUSTON, La. (KTVE/KARD) — The Ruston 6U Sweetees are preparing for another trip to the Dixie Softball World Series after being crowned State Champs just a few weeks ago.

Head Coach Kane Rozelle says making it back to the World Series indeed something to celebrate–but an even bigger celebration is the improvement from this young group over the course of the season.

Now these young ladies are looking to cap off the year with yet another championship style celebration.

“We have had an absolute blast with these girls getting to bring out personalities, as you can tell,” said Kane Rozelle. “It’s been so much fun. The girls have progressed beyond what we thought they could, so we are going to try to make some noise at the World Series.”

For the third year–the Ruston Sweetees are heading to the Dixie Softball World Series.

There were a lot of new faces on the diamond with only four girls returning from last year’s team.

But it didn’t take long for this group to build that chemistry and find their groove to go out and win ball games.

“We’re more serious in practice than we are at games,” Rozelle said. “When we get to the games, it’s time to have fun. Just use everything you’ve learned and go with it from there.”

Their improvement throughout the season should be no surprise to anyone.

At 6-years of age–these young girls bought in and put in the work to make sure they are always ready when they hit the field.

“Everything,” Rozelle said. “That means everything. To get to see these girls, from our first practice coming out here, hitting the balls, barely getting back to the pitcher and now we’re racking up homeruns. We had one girl hit a walk-off grand slam at one of the games at state and she is one of our smallest players. She did amazing. All of these kids, their bats have come alive and we are ready to showcase.”

Head Coach Kane Rozelle and the coaching staff have put in countless hours to get this team ready to succeed–but as they say–it takes a village to raise a child and that has been the case for the Ruston Sweetees.

“Everybody has been smiles and happy and it has taken all of us to do it. Even some of our parents will get out here,” Rozelle said. “They will run the bases. When we are working on infield, the parents will be out here running the bases for us just pushing the girls a little further, just to see exactly how far we can take this team and see how good they can be at the end.”

As these young ladies prepare to compete this weekend–they also prepare for an experience like no other.

“It’s a magical experience for them,” Rozelle said. “I’m hoping they remember this for the rest of their lives. I will for sure. It’s so much fun. They do such a good job at putting these events on that the girls don’t have a choice but to remember it. It’s memories in the making right here.”

But as much as this is about the experience–the Ruston Sweetees still have their sights on one thing–

“Winning!!!”

And also making a little history in the process.

“I don’t think Ruston has ever had a World Series win, so we are going to try to be the first team this year. If we can do that for Ruston, since we host the World Series for all age groups next year, we want to have a banner hanging up so everybody knows that they are going to have to compete if they come to Ruston,” Rozelle said.