By: Kris Harrell

One Crenshaw County native is competing in the Dixie Softball World Series, working alongside her team to win the championship tournament which began July 19.

The Dixie Softball World Series is a competition where reigning state-champion softball teams from across the southeast travel to face-off in a double-elimination bracket.

“There’s only way you can make it through Dixie tournaments, it’s by having pitching,” said Terry Garrett, manager of the Troy Belles 15U team. “Brooke [Horn] was one of the best pitchers in the league. It’s a no-brainer, you gotta put her on an all-star team because she’s one of the best pitchers.”

Horn is a sophomore at Luverne High School and was selected to join the team after playing at the Troy Recreational Center in the local league.

From there, she was selected to join the Troy Belles 15U team as their second-base player, alongside girls from different counties. While having a set position, Horn said she also serves as a utility player.

“I was scared to do the whole thing, but it’s amazing, like really amazing,” Horn said. “The community is great, the Troy Rec [Center] is amazing, and you meet so many people that you’ll never forget. It’s a life changing moment.”

Teams from Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia gathered together at Prince George, Virginia for the competition. There, Horn and the Troy team got to know more about the different teams and trade pins and other memorabilia with the other players.

“We just met a lot of girls, and we traded pins and bags from different states and things that we have in our state that they might not know of,” Horn said. “It was really nice to meet the girls because in softball it’s like ‘you’re my enemy,’ because everybody’s competitive. You don’t know them girls, and they’re very sweet. The openings are a good way to meet people and make friends.”

From there, the games started July 20, where the Troy Belles won 11-3 against Winnsboro, Louisiana, and lost 5-16 against Bessemer City, North Carolina on July 21.

After being rained out of their game against West Pasco, Florida on July 21, the Troy Belles won 1-0 on July 22, and were scheduled to play the loser of the game between North Carolina and Virginia on July 23. At press time, a weather delay had pushed the game to July 24 and outcome was not yet available.

Horn said the road to the World Series required dedication, but being part of the team was worth the effort.

“I think a lot of people don’t realize how much work you put into going into the World Series,” Horn said. “I think one of the best things I like about my team is that we’re so close. I can be myself and I don’t feel left out. When I get down, my team picks me up.”