By DANIEL PORTER / Staff Writer

The Chelsea 8-and-under Dizzy Dean All-Stars finished third in the state tournament and are now setting their sights on the World Series in South Haven, Miss., which begins July 18.

Head coach Steve Gongwer is proud to be taking his team from Shelby County, which he believes is one of the best system of youth baseball in the state.

Chelsea won its district and area tournaments. The team, which enters the World Series with a 23-2 record, battled to the end in their two losses this summer.

The team earned a trip to play in the state tournament, where Chelsea brought home a third-place finish.

“We couldn’t be more proud,” Gongwer said. “The kids played hard all season. They committed to learning how to correctly play the game.”

Gongwer feels his team should do well in the World Series.

“We feel we can compete with anyone,” Gongwer said. “We’ve played teams and won who in the past have gone to the World Series and played really well.”