By GEORGE MAHL

A local 14 and under girls softball team, comprised of players from St. Charles and Jefferson parishes and known as the New Orleans Voodoo Black, is about to play in the National Softball Association Super World Series. The Voodoo Black is the first 14 year old team from Louisiana to qualify for the Super World Series.

The two-day event begins Saturday in Peoria, Ill. The NSA is a one of three Summer Travel Ball leagues that is made up of players who want to excel at the sport.

Coach Steve Wilson, a Destrehan resident, wanted in the league so his players could play against some of the top players throughout the South.

“At first, I thought that we would play against solid competition and see how we stack up. I could have never imagined that we would be playing in the NSA World Series,” Wilson said.

The season, which began in late April, consisted of playing against teams from other southern states, such as Florida and Texas, as well as teams from around Louisiana. After finishing the regular season with a winning percentage of .800, the Voodoo Black ended up in second place against stiff competition.

This led the team to participate in the state tournament, where it finished in third place. Wilson said he was surprised the team made it that far.

“I was a little surprised because this is a serious softball league. It is way beyond what you would play in Babe Ruth or Dixie Youth,” Wilson said.

By claiming third place in the state tournament, the Voodoo Black qualified to play in the Western World Series in Plano, Texas. The Western World Series is composed of 38 teams from the western half of the country. Out of 38 teams, the Voodoo Black finished eighth. “Simply incredible” is how Wilson described the feeling of earning eighth place. The first victory came against Fresno, while the second and final victory of came against Seattle.

“After beating the teams from California and Washington, we had a nothing to lose attitude,” Wilson said.

In there next two games, New Orleans struggled and ended up falling to Northern California and a team from Texas.

“I find it amazing that our starting pitcher was able to get 21 outs in a seven-inning game and still lose,” Wilson said. “We just ran into a hotter pitcher that day.”

The eighth-place finish was good enough to advance to the 16-team final in Peoria, Ill.

Twelve out of 15 players on the roster should receive scholarship offers in the future, Wilson said.

To this point, the pressure has not seemed to bother the team.

“We came home for a week and didn’t even talk about playing in Illinois,” Wilson said.

The team will begin the drive up Interstate 55 early Friday morning.

“I have no problem if we leave Friday and come back Saturday. We have had a wonderful season,” Wilson said.

Players from St. Charles Parish include: Tiffany Comardelle, Paradis; Kaci Wilson, Courtney Stropolo, Courtney Berthelot, Sara Vanhuss, Lindsey Franklin, Allie Stropolo and Heidi Eiserloh, all of Destrehan.

In addition to Steve Wilson, Destrehan resident Chris Stopolo also coaches the team.