FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Stars will head to Virginia later this month to compete in the Fast Pitch Eastern National Championships.

The team, all girls ages 12 to 14, finished second in four Junior Olympic tournaments this summer, earning them the right to compete in the national event from July 31 through Aug. 3, said Coach Lisa Dube.

Parents have stepped up to help raise the $7,000 needed to make the trip possible, said Assistant Coach Vicky Kinsey of Wilton.

One of the girls on the hand-picked team is from Kingfield; the others are from SAD 9 towns. They have played in four tournaments, or about 20 games, to earn second place behind a team from Falmouth.

Dube has taken teams to regional competitions, but this is the first time for a chance at the nationals. She has about 40 years of experience playing and coaching softball, while Kinsey’s softball resume adds up to 30 years. The two friends played softball together and are now coaching together, but “it’s all about the girls,” Dube said.

She expects the experience to be similar to the Olympics, with opening and closing ceremonies and team pins for the girls to swap with other players.

The girls have participated in car washes, bottle drives, lawn sales and raffles as well as running a concession stand at Industry’s July 4th fireworks.

A lawn sale is planned for July 25, followed by a car wash on July 26, and many local businesses have responded to help the girls realize the chance of a lifetime, Dube said.