Berwick girls go after regional softball title

The Berwick 10-year-old softball All-Stars will look to punch their ticket to the Babe Ruth World Series in Florida this weekend when they participate in the Babe Ruth Southwest Regional Tournament.
While the competition will be tougher, the drive to the tournament will be short as it is being held at Bayou Country Sports Park in Houma.
For Berwick, the road to get here has been even more impressive than normal because this is the squad’s first year being sanctioned by Babe Ruth Softball.
A week ago, the squad won the Babe Ruth Louisiana state title in Metairie.
Berwick head coach Shari Osburn said she knew her team would be successful because of their attitudes.
“This little group that we have, they want it,” she said. “They’re such competitors, and we practice often. We practice hard. They don’t complain. They just can’t get enough of the sport, and seeing that in them, I really felt that we were going to do well.”
This weekend’s bracket will be represented by four states. Five of the eight teams are from Louisiana, so there is plenty of familiarity for the Berwick squad from the state tournament.
Berwick will be joined in the field by Jefferson Parish Recreation District’s East and West squads; Terrebonne; St. Charles; a team from Arkansas called La-Ark; Andalusia, Alabama and Muleshoe, Texas.
Osburn said that if her team pitches and hits up to their ability, they will be competitive.
Berwick will play its first game at 1:30 p.m. Friday, when it meets Muleshoe.
The winner of the Berwick-Muleshoe contest will meet the winner of the La-Ark-Andalusia contest at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Action will continue Saturday with the finals set for 7:30 p.m.
At the state tournament, Berwick won three games by a combined 39-10 margin.
After receiving a first-round bye, Berwick defeated Terrebonne 9-0 in the second round before topping Jefferson Parish Recreation District East 16-8 to advance to the title game. Jefferson Parish Recreation District East emerged from the loser’s bracket, but Berwick defeated it 14-2 to win the title.
Osburn said multiple people in the town of Berwick have reached out to her and her coaches about their achievement.
“For the girls to get this recognition, it’s so exciting for them — to see their picture in the newspaper — it’s just a big deal,” she said.
The squad will be joined at the Southwest Regional Tournament by Berwick’s 12U and 16U teams.
The 12U bracket will feature six teams — four from Louisiana and one each from Alabama and Texas.
Berwick will be joined by Terrebonne and Jefferson Parish Recreation District’s East and West squads in the field. Out of state teams are Kinston, Alabama, and Seminole, Texas. Jefferson Parish Recreation District East defeated Jefferson Parish Recreation District West last weekend to win the state title.
Berwick will begin tournament play Friday at 10:30 a.m. when it faces Seminole. The winner will advance to a 1:30 p.m. contest Friday against Kinston. Kinston had a first-round bye.
Action will continue Saturday with the championship game set for 5 p.m.
A week ago, Berwick finished 1-2 at the state tournament.
After falling to Jefferson Parish Recreation District East in its opener, Berwick defeated Ponchatoula in an elimination game a day later. However, the squad’s run ended with a loss to St. Charles in a loser’s bracket contest later in the day.
Jefferson Parish Recreation District East won the state title over Jefferson Parish Recreation District West.
In 16U action, Berwick is one of five Louisiana teams in a six-team field. The squad is joined by Jefferson Parish Recreation District East and West, Terrebonne, St. Charles and Cotulla, Texas. Last week, Jefferson Parish Recreation District East won the state title.
Berwick will open the tournament Friday at 9 a.m. when it meets Jefferson Parish Recreation District West.
The winner will advance to face Cotulla at noon Friday. Cotulla received a first-round bye.
Action will continue Saturday with the championship game set for 5 p.m.
At the state tournament, Berwick finished 2-2.
After winning its opener against Terrebonne, Berwick fell to Kentwood.
Berwick bounced back a day later with a victory against St. Charles before being eliminated by Jefferson Parish Recreation District West.

The photo caption has been edited to correct the player's name.