NATCHEZ — The Natchez girls’ softball ponytail all-stars is the last Natchez softball team standing as they head to the 2014 Ponytails Traditional World Series this weekend in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Though the Natchez all-stars might be an underdog as World Series first timers, they are coming off an undefeated postseason that gives them the momentum and confidence to compete.

Natchez head coach Brandi Lipsey said she was surprised to see them get so far solely because this was the league’s first year as a Dixie Youth team, which allows them to compete as all-stars.

“To go in and win district and state undefeated is big,” Lipsey said. “We’ve got a lot of girls that never played softball before and we made it this far.

“We only had four teams during the regular season, so picking 12 girls out of 45 girls and making it to the World Series has been a big accomplishment because the other teams we will play picked the best 12 out of several hundred girls.”

As Natchez gets ready for its first World Series appearance, Lipsey said they have been working extensively on their weaknesses while sharpening their strengths.

“They are working on their mental game,” she said, “We’ve been working on batting, but we have to think about playing on a higher level than most 11 year olds think. We’re thinking about plays before they happen and what the other team might do.”

Another big factor is pitching, said Lipsey.

Dixie Youth rules only allow a pitcher to throw two innings before they must sit the next game. To avoid that, Lipsey said she must rotate pitchers in every two innings to make sure her starters can play each game.

Zanya Lyles is one of Natchez’s key pitchers, and she is accompanied by Carleigh Sproulls and Gerri Brumfield.

Lipsey said Lyles has been preparing to do well on the mound this summer as she attended pitching clinics, including one at Louisiana State University.

Lyles isn’t the only one putting in extra work, Lipsey said. Several of her players are spending extra hours honing their skills.

“These girls started playing summer ball in March, and they’ve been playing since then,” Lipsey said. “They didn’t have a summer. Some of them had to cancel their vacations to play ball.”

Lyles said she and her teammates understand how important the World Series is, and they don’t mind putting in the extra work.

“We’re going to try to do our best and come back with the win,” Lyles said.

Lipsey said they were able to go to the World Series in part of the parents and businesses who helped out financially through fundraisers and donations.

Natchez plays Georgia at 11 a.m. Monday to open up bracket play.