OKLAHOMA CITY — Lily Grace McCarthy and her family have been in Oklahoma City, Okla., since June 2, cheering on the LSU Lady Tigers softball team in the Women’s College World Series.

The trip turned out to be even more special than originally planned for the Vidalia family.

Lily Grace, 10, was selected through a raffle to throw out the first pitch of the June 5 game between Michigan and Florida State, giving the McCarthy family a memory they won’t soon forget.

“I was kind of nervous but also kind of happy,” Lily Grace said. “(Team USA softball player) Ally (Carda) helped me get through it, and said we’ll laugh about it later it together. She calmed my nerves down.”

Lily Grace’s father, Brent, said he didn’t need anyone to calm his nerves down as he had full confidence in his daughter.

“I was proud,” Brent said. “Lily Grace has been pitching for a year, and I knew it wouldn’t be any trouble for her.”

Brent said the family has been soaking in as much softball as possible ,as they have attended all the softball games, including LSU’s eliminating loss to Oklahoma in the early hours Monday.

“We’ve been getting in about 1:30 a.m. every morning,” Brent said, laughing. “But it’s fun, it’s been a good time.”

Lily Grace’s mother, Amy, said her daughter has developed a strong bond with James Madison second baseman Madyson Moran as the two have watched most of the action from behind home plate.

“We knew Lily Grace was very talkative, but she has shocked us this week by befriending all the college ballplayers,” Amy said. “This is truly an experience she will never forget.”

And as for Lily Grace’s pitch?

“It was a perfect strike, right down the middle,” Brent said.

“When I saw the pitch go right down the middle, I got really excited,” Lily Grace said. “The Florida State catcher (Sydney Broderick) told me awesome job. It was an exciting moment for me.

Lily Grace is a student at Delta Charter School and plays for a travel ball team based out of McComb. She is the sister of Gus McCarthy. Lily Grace is the older sister to Gus, 6, by four years.

“It’s been a really fun time,” Lily Grace said. “I’ve got to see awesome games. I know that you have to work hard and try your best to get to this level.”