VIDALIA — Down 12-0 in the bottom of the first, Wesley McCarver admits he had some doubts.

The coach for the Vidalia Girls Softball League’s 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars was staring at quite a deficit, and he wasn’t sure his team could climb out of the hole.

But he doesn’t think his girls ever saw it as too big an obstacle to overcome, McCarver said.

“I knew we could do it down 12-0, but I had doubts. I don’t think they ever had any doubts,” McCarver said.

And his girls were slowly able to chip away at the lead, coming back and winning 16-15 in the bottom of the sixth inning in game one of the District 3 tournament June 26.

“We started off slow, pitching-wise, and did a lot of walking. With one out in the top of the first, they scored 10 runs, but we came together as a team and never gave up,” McCarver said.

With that never-say-die attitude, the Vidalia 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars swept the District 3 tournament, advancing to the state tournament set for July 16 in Shreveport, La.

In game two against Avoyelles June 27, Shelbie Vinet, who started game one, was called on to start again.

“She fared much better with the walks, pitching a complete game. We won 16-4 and hit very well that game,” McCarver said.

Avoyelles was Vidalia’s opponent again in the championship game June 29, and Vidalia scored even more runs than in game two, winning 17-6.

“Our defense and bats kept us in all the games. When our pitching was down, or hitting made up for it, and we had some good plays in the field,” McCarver said.

League president Greg Young said the 9- and 10-year-olds winning their district is a huge accomplishment for them.

“This is their first year (to play), and for them to win district and go to state in their first year is a really good thing for them,” Young said.

“I really have to commend the coaches, because they’ve all done a wonderful job with these girls.”

Now that the state tournament is coming up, McCarver said he’s trying to raise money for his team to go to Shreveport. McCarver said he feels his players have earned it, given the amount of hard work they’ve put in.

“I ask my girls to give 100 percent, and in the games we’ve played, they’ve gone above and beyond what we expected,” he said.

“They’re all very hard-working girls, and we’ve had some long practices. They’ve seen situation after situation, and are always able to boost each other’s confidence.”

McCarver can be reached at 601-870-8763 for donations. Possible donors can also reach Crystal Warren at 601-660-1633.