The Vidalia 14-under Little League softball team earned wins at the state tournament to punch a ticket to the regional in Los Alamos, N.M., but the team’s parents said the Miss-Lou community had a hand in the team’s success as well.

Over the past week, the team has been raising funds for their trip by accepting donations from businesses, setting up a yard sale, selling raffle tickets and holding a bake sale..

For last year’s trip out west, the team raised $11,000. The team estimated July 14 — the first day of the fundraising effort — they had already raised $5,000.

“The team is appreciative of the support we’ve received from the Miss-Lou community,” assistant coach Kelly Estis said.

With the team’s funds in order, Vidalia shifts its focus to outdoing its third-place finish for last year’s regional tournament.

The Little League Regional also means the girls are on a national stage. The best teams from every state in the South will meet in Los Alamos to square off.

Morgan Estis said she expects she and her six teammates who played in regionals in 2015 will have to play off some anxiety before their first game, but think last year’s experience will give the team and advantage.

“I think since some of us know what to expect and the teams there, that will calm our nerves,” Morgan said.

Shelby Mason said the experience of traveling across the country to play softball was something she cherished last year and is excited of the prospect of being able to play for a seed in the national championship again.

“(Last year) we went white-water rafting,” Mason said. “We had a blast. The whole way there we have a group chat (while we rode to Los Alamos).”

Mason said she and her teammates feel confident they will be able to recognize some teams from last season’s tournament.

Mason said the team’s focus this season is beating the rival that knocked them out of last year’s tournament, Louisiana’s western neighbor, Texas.

“We had trouble with Texas, but we beat everybody else,” Mason said. “We want to beat Texas this year, that’s out goal.”

In state, Vidalia’s ability to grind out wins set it apart from the crop of teams competing for a Regional seed.

Vidalia won a 3-2 game against tournament host Lake Charles to place in first in the tournament.

“We’re going to be tough, we’re going to give teams a run for their money,” Kelly said.