Fresh off a win in the district tournament last week, the Troy Ponytails have their eyes set on the biggest prize, a trip to the World Series in Alexandria, La.

But before the team can get there, it must claim the Alabama State Championship this weekend in Underwood, Ala., near Muscle Shoals.

Head coach Larry Rushing feels that his team is ready for the challenge of bringing home a title.

“Myself and the girls are really excited about competing at state,” Rushing. “We captured the district, but want to win something more. We have been working hard everyday to finish what we started a few weeks ago.”

Troy captured the district title at home at the friendly confines of the Troy Sportsplex.

Now the Ponytails move from a field they have played dozens of games on this season, to one they have never seen before.

Rushing said that he doesn’t think the travel will effect his team.

“The girls see it as a little big of a mini vacation,” said Rushing. “We will do some things up there not related to softball, so that they have plenty of fun. But the new field may have some effect, but these girls are ready for the challenge.”

Troy did not go through the district undefeated, as the dropped the first leg of the title series to Geneva. In the second game, Troy scored nine runs in the first inning to cruise to the win.

Rushing feels that the loss his team suffered will actually help at the state tournament.

“We have to focused and play hard every night,” said Rushing. “I think they saw that in the district tournament. We will come out and play as best we can every night, and try to represent Troy well.

The tournament begins on Friday.