The 2016 team will try to follow in the footsteps of the 2014 team, which went on to be crowned world champions.
ROBBINSVILLE -- For the third time in four years, and fifth time overall, the Robbinsville Little League softball 11-12 team is heading to the World Series.
The 2016 team will try to follow in the footsteps of the last Robbinsville team to win a regional, the 2014 team, which went on to be crowned world champions.
During that summer, the current squad won the 9-10 East Regional title as well, to make it a glorious few months for Robbinsville.
This year's edition has swept through the tournament thus far, including a dominant 12-1 win in the East Regional final over Delaware last week.
The team leaves for Portland, Oregon Sunday, and will have a two days of festivities and skill competitions before the tournament opens up on Wednesday with pool play.
Robbinsville gets underway on Thursday, August 11 at 7 p.m. with a game against the Europe-Africa champion Noerd Holland Little League, from Amsterdam/Haarlem, Netherlands.
Robbinsville then plays Friday at 3 p.m. (Latin America champion Softball Femenino, Coamo, Puerto Rico), Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (Southwest champion Greater Helotes, Helotes, Texas) and Sunday at 10 a.m. (Host team, Lincoln, Portland, Ore.)
If the girls from Robbinsville can finish in the top four of their pool, they will play in the quarterfinals on Monday.
But before they can worry about the knockout round, the players have to take care of business in the pool play, and that starts with pitcher Brynn Hopkins.
"I have been pitching for about five years," Hopkins said. "But it is a team effort. Our defense has done well, and we have hit the ball well. I think it is about us playing our game, and having fun."
Robbinsville to celebrate 2014 Little League Softball World Series champs
"I think, for me, my fastball is my best pitch," Hopkins said. "But I have a changeup and rise ball as well."
That strong defense is lead by second baseman Kenzie Martin.
"It is extremely important to play well in the field," Martin said. "Because we have to back up Brynn. She is doing a lot of work. Our infield, and outfield, are very tight. We keep everything in front of us."
"We all work together and communicate very well," Martin said. "We are very close off the field too. I think we get everyone, and we can communicate with our actions. Just knowing that everyone has each others back, we know that we will be there for each other."
"I am excited to see what our competition will be like out there," Martin said. "At this level, teams are getting better and better."
Shea Krebs, who plays third base, and catcher Ella Iorio make up two more spots in the infield, and both are excited for the chance to play for a world title.
"All of us are, in general, great athletes," Krebs said. "We are such a small town, and it is amazing to see us go so far in the tournament each year."
Iorio has the job of catching fire-baller Hopkins, which has its own challenges.
"It is good, but I feel like it is kind of difficult sometimes," Iorio said. "Brynn throws really fast. I feel like we have really good coaches, and a good team. Everyone knows us for softball, and I think teams may be scared of us. My sister went in 2010, and she tells me I have to win."
You can follow along with the action here, on the official website of the tournament.
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean