Since bowing out of the Little League Softball World Series last August, a group of girls from Gray have been eyeing another shot at a national title.
The Daniel Boone Little League All-Stars took an important step on that journey this past week by winning the Tennessee state tournament. Boone defeated Clarksville in the championship game to earn their fifth consecutive state championship.
The team from Gray will now face off against the best teams from around the Southeast in the regional tournament, which begins July 25 in Warner Robins, Georgia. Last year the Daniel Boone squad captured the regional title in Warner Robins and traveled across the country to the World Series in Portland, Oregon.
Eight players from last year’s team – Kyleigh Bacon, Riley Croley, Sadie Henson, Josie Jenkins, Kayleigh Musser, Anna Richardson, Ava Saul and Lillie Walters – are back this year, and their collective experience should help Boone weather the tough competition that awaits in Georgia. They are joined by newcomers Kenzie Bacon, Taylor Brinn, Addison Dietz, Matti Phillips and Katie Sparks. The team is managed by Lori Jenkins, who is assisted by Steven Croley and Freddie Saul.
All the games in the regional tournament will be streamed on ESPN+, a subscription system. The regional championship is scheduled for July 29 with the national tournament set to begin on Aug. 7.
