VIDALIA — The Vidalia Little Angels had a good experience at the USSSA World Series in Fayetteville, Ark., over the weekend, even if they didn’t win it.

The Little Angels finished second in the tournament, falling to the Dirt Divas from Petal.

However, coach Donald Bertelsen was still very proud of the way his team performed.

“They did an excellent job,” Bertelsen said. “They had a lot of fun but played hard. They had a mission. They wanted to finish in first, but fell just short.”

The team had to take a nine-hour car ride to get to Fayetteville, but Bertelsen said it was worth it.

“It was a great place to play,” he said. “All the teams there were awesome. We met some great people. The atmosphere was great and the facilities and hospitalities were too. It makes it real easy to play when you feel almost at home.”

Bertelsen said the great experience was important because it was the first time at a World Series tournament for several of his players.

“We had four or five who had been before but this was the first time going to a World Series for most of them,” he said. “It was a lot to see. Hopefully it will be something they remember for a long time.”

Bertelsen also wanted to thank the Miss-Lou for helping his team by donating money or purchasing fundraising meals from them to help fund their trips to tournaments across the region.

“We couldn’t have done it without the people of the Miss-Lou,” Bertelsen said. “They made it possible for us to travel this year by purchasing chicken dinners from us or donating money. If not for them, we couldn’t have done what we did.”

And the coach won’t rest on his laurels too long.

“It’s been a great year for us,” Bertelsen said. “Now we’re looking forward to getting out and playing next year.”