Pitt County 12U Girls Softball League All-Stars Ready to Host and Win Little League Softball World Series

GREENVILLE, NC (WITN) – The Pitt County All-Stars 12U girls softball team competed in the Little League World Series as Southeast Regional Champions last year. Many members of this year’s team were part of that team. A team that finished runner-up in the World Series. We’re showcasing the Pitt County girls who will be hosting the tournament this time around in our Pepsi Sports Spotlight.

“Our motto is ‘unfinished business,’” says turner Braelyn Johnson.

The Pitt County Girls Softball League 12U All-Stars finished second at the World Series last year with about half the team returning this year, it’s a motivated group.

“It gives us more to work with than we’ve had in the past,” said Brooklyn Medhus, who is returning to the tournament. “Last year we were here and we were excited to be here. This year we’re going to win.”

Only one North Carolina team has ever won the Little League Softball World Series, and they hope their experience will help them become the second team to win the host title this week.

“It means a lot because we really want to represent Pitt County,” Johnson said.

“Feeling the energy, the enthusiasm of the whole city, no matter where you go or who you talk to,” says principal Brad Medhus. “It’s pretty special.”

The Pitt County girls won the state regional tournament by allowing just one point.

“It was really fun,” said first-year player Emma Pilgreen. “It was pretty tough.”

“It’s an amazing feeling not having to go back to Georgia anymore,” said Kenzie Carson, who is returning to the game. “Just to represent Team North Carolina.”

They have a trio of pitchers.

“We put them in the circle. We feel like we’re going to win,” coach Medhus says. “If someone’s struggling, we can switch sides. If someone’s struggling, we roll.”

“It’s cool to be with others because all the pressure is not on you,” Carson says.

The offense also alleviates the pressure. From top to bottom, Pitt County can strike.

“The girls just played really well throughout training,” said coach Medhus.

Six players scored more than 500 points at the state tournament.

“Once the top five are in,” Johnson said, “the ranking goes to 12th.”

Their experience also takes the pressure off.

“Behave normally, don’t think about it,” Johnson said, “don’t be nervous.”

“They talked to me a lot. A lot, a lot,” said Pilgreen, who attended every game last year as a fan, “because we play on the same football team. So I felt like I was a part of it.”

This special group has a special chance to do something special in Greenville in a few weeks.

“We have a great bond as a team because we’ve been playing together for a long time,” Carson said. “We love each other like sisters.”

“We know each other on the pitch, but we also see each other off the pitch,” says Medhus.

The Pitt County girls learned their first-round opponent will be the Negros Occidental Little League of the Philippines. They are scheduled to play Sunday, Aug. 4, in their opening game at 7 p.m. The World Series is being played at Stallings Stadium in Greenville.