Dad-Daughter Duo Celebrate a Trio

Piggott sixth-grader Braxton Burnside and her dad coach Harold Burnside recently experienced what it was like to be a part of the first team in 11-and-under USSSA history to win its third straight World Series title. The Paragould-based Arkansas Heat team had three main goals at the beginning of the season-- to be better at the end of the year than at the beginning, to win 12-and-under state, and to win the 11-and-under World Series in Columbus, Ind. "We were able to accomplish each one because the girls are willing to learn and work hard plus they have supportive parents that allow them to put the time in," Burnside said.

The Heat went 8-0 throughout the week long tournament beating opponents from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois and even Ontario, Canada.

Braxton was named the tournament's offensive MVP batting .555 with an on-base percentage of .750 scoring 11 times for her team. Coach Burnside was awarded the USSSA 11-and-under Manager of the Year due to the Heat's success. They finished at the top of point ratings in their respected division.

Although this was a transition year since the team moved up a division. (They had to play with a bigger ball and move five feet farther back to pitch) they still finished with an overall record of 59-14 and won seven tournaments, three second place finishes and came in third twice.