The Johnston County Little League 12U Softball team is headed to their first World Series.
The young girls' team dominated the season, making history when it clinched the North Carolina State Championship on July 9th. They defeated the Rowan Little League 6-0 to earn the title and secure a spot in the 2026 Little League Softball World Series.
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Many of the team members are classmates and live in the Archer Lodge community. The Johnston County Little League program partners with the Archer Lodge Parks and Recreation and operates primarily in that area.
Town leaders and officials, including Mayor Matt Mulhollem, Mayor Pro Tem Clyde Castleberry, and Representative Donna White, attended the team's last workout practice and wished them well on their journey to the Little League Softball Series in Greenville.
The team's head coach, Ben Catarozzoli, spoke about their success and how they worked hard to get to this point.
"As long as we play together and keep having fun, there is no limit to what this team can do," Catarozzoli said.
Local residents gathered in crowds to meet the 13 players and celebrate their send-off as they traveled to East Carolina University on Wednesday. The girls were escorted by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, and the North Side Fire Department.
The State Champions will play their first World Series game at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.