The Darlings of the softball world in Troy are getting ready for tournament action. The group of 8 year olds involved with the Troy Dixie Darlings Tournament team will hit the field June 26 in Luverne and Tucker Earles cannot wait.

“I am just getting excited and I am so glad to be still practicing,” Earles said. “I want to go win the tournament.”

But winning is not the only benefit, Earles said.

“I love meeting a lot of new friends,” she said. “I love playing softball with my friends and I am just excited to get to keep doing that.”

Darlings head coach Jim English said the Darlings are showing a lot of poise for their age.

“They are looking good out there and I was surprised how softball smart they were as ball players for how old they are,” English said. “They have a real knack for picking up on stuff quickly.”

English is in his first year as a head coach in any capacity and he said it was an honor to get to coach the tournament team.

“It is a lot of fun and it is good to see some of the girls we have competed against on our team,” he said. “And watching all the girls interact is always so much fun. Obviously they are all talented and this is going to be a fun summer.”

It is her father’s first year coaching and it is Alyssa English’s first year on a tournament team. She said she could not wait to hit the field and get started.

“I like playing with all of my friends and getting better at softball,” Alyssa English said. “This is my first year and I am so glad I made the team.”

Joining Earles and English on the Darlings squad are, Sabra Daniels, Sydni Garrett, Haylee Hollingshead, Holly Hughes, Nelsey Leverette, Bailey Rushing, Molly Kate Sanders, Grace Scarbrough, Mya Terry and Samantha Yarbrough.

Jim English is the team’s head coach and Matt Leverette, Terry Garrett and Jonathan Earles will assist English.