Monday, July 20, 2008. There are a lot of good 14 and under softball teams in the state of South Carolina, but the best team in the state is based right out of North Augusta.

"It's cool. It's mind-boggling," says P/1B Taylor Wilson. "We're going to the Longhorn State."

They're called the Carolina Swarm and they are this year's winners of the Amateur Softball Association's state championship, earning them a trip to Midland, Texas for the nationals. It wasn't an easy road to get this far though.

"They play summer ball after the high school season. They have to dedicate a lot, sacrifice a lot, and give up a lot to be on this team," says head coach Ernie Spires.

But this team is used to it since most of the girls have played with each other for almost 5 years

We have a bond that probably no other team has," says P/1B Taylor Wilson. "We know where to go and just getting along helps us."

"We mesh verywell and when we play our best, no one can beat us," says Morgan.

If there is one thing to dread about the future, it is the long drive to Texas.

"It's going to take about 5 tanks of gas for me to get there, about 1300 miles and 19 hours away," said Spires. "That's one of the big cost factors in this thing."

Even so, this team is excited to represent South Carolina well on the diamond.

"We'd like to win it but we're just going to do our best and have fun," says C PeytonBaynham.

"We can go down there and just score one run," sais Spires. "I like to think small and build ourselves up. I just want them to go out their and play their best just like they always do."