NEWBERRY, Fla. — This isn’t Washington softball’s first rodeo. Over the last decade, the town has sent four teams — two under-12 and two under-16 — to the Babe Ruth Softball World Series in Alachua, Fla., teams that traversed the path from local district tournament to state tournament to Southeast Regionals. There’s been success, including multiple World Series wins, but never a title.

There’s also never been a team quite like the 2015 rendition of the Washington Under-8 All-Stars, a lineup that has made a mockery of the sling-shot-style pitching machine. Powering through the District 6 Tournament in Chocowinity and the Eastern North Carolina State Tournament in Greenville, bypassing the Southeast Regionals qualifier (where the neighboring Chocowinity 16U All-Stars are headed), Washington becomes the fifth team from Beaufort County to qualify for all-star softball’s biggest stage.

“This team has come together in a way I have never before seen 8-year-old girls come together,” said head coach Monte Weathington. “They just played absolutely lights on during the state tournament. They were really untested in the district tournament and until the last game of the state tournament, they were pretty much untested also. Going into it, I never would have thought they would come out like they did, but this is a very special group.”

And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. This year, the Babe Ruth League, traditionally limited to 10U through 16U competitions, introduced the first ever 8U Softball World Series to the list of championship events. The league’s newest tournament will take place at a brand new, 16-field facility in Newberry, just next door to its original home in Alachua, where the 12U tournament will still be played.

The World Series begins on July 29 and ends August 5. Through the first two days, Washington will need to escape pool play in order to qualify for the double-elimination bracket.

Never flashy or overconfident, the current team follows in the footsteps of last year’s 8U team, which finished its season as the runner-up at the Southeast Regionals. Entering the tournament with a perfect 10-0 record, Weathington said this team is unlike any he’s every coached.

“What was really special was not necessarily the way they played, obviously that contributes to it, but it was the way they presented themselves,” he said. “We had other coaches from teams we just absolutely destroyed stay for days to watch our team play. We had several coaches tell us they love to see us play, love to see softball done the right way. As a coach, that makes you really proud.”

One the field, Washington’s execution is exemplary — aggressive on the bases, clean in the field and, most importantly, consistent at the plate. It’s a recipe for success that has the local softball community buzzing. It’s a resume that, arguably, makes the team one of the favorites entering the exhibition.

“It’s a significant event in Washington softball and the culture is constantly changing,” said Greg Dority, who has spent years as an advocate and supporting of Washington softball. “They have as good a chance as anybody. This is historical.”

Washington, facing East Beaufort and Jamesville, rolled through the District 6 Tournament in Chocowinity with a perfect 3-0 record, scoring 51 total runs while the defense only gave up three. At the state tournament, held from June 27-July 1 at Greenville’s Sarah Law Softball Complex, the team posted a 7-0 record, downing New Bern, Warren County, Kinston, Fuquay-Varina, Henderson-Vance and powerhouse Pitt County. Washington recorded 105 runs on 14 homers, 16 triples and 42 doubles in the process, only allowing 37 runs against.

Spearheading Washington’s power-hitting lineup is first baseman Melanie Rutledge, one of the team’s leaders who took home the state tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award. Rudledge smashed six homers, seven doubles and three triples.

To pay for their trip to Florida, the team is reaching out to the community and local businesses for sponsorships and donations. On top of selling Bojangles coupons, the team is holding a carwash on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Verizon on 15th Street and will host a yard sale at Family Medical on 15th Street (also on Saturday) from 7 a.m. to noon. Both events will have baked goods and lemonade for sale. On Monday, Pizza Inn will play host to Washington for a community pizza night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

While Washington made history with its World Series bid, it’s looking to make some noise on the national stage as well. Expectations remain high.

“I really expect them to go down there, do well and compete at a high level,” Weathington said. “Being a first for me and obviously for them, we don’t know really what to expect from the other teams. But if we go down there and play the way that we can play, we’re going to be hard to deal with. We’re going to give a lot of teams issues. We’re going to win some games no matter what.”