“They’re just itching to get started; they’re pumped,” Opp head coach Andrew Cox said Wednesday evening. “When we picked this team, everyone’s goal was to go to the World Series. They’re expecting to come up here and compete.”

After a two-day drive from the small town in the southern part of the state, the Southwest Region champions arrived Wednesday in Western New York, where they will compete in the World Series. But that’s of course not where the journey began. Opp started off in its state tournament, going undefeated to advance to the regional tournament.

“We started off in the state tournament in Tallassee, Alabama,” Cox said. “We played five games there and went 5-0. We took care of business.”

The first hurdle Opp ran into was at the Southwest Regional in Camden, Arkansas, at the very start of the tournament. Opp didn’t look its best warming up for the opening game against Denver City, Texas, and it continued onto the field when it blew the game in the final inning after holding a 2-1 lead.

Name: Cash Harrell Jersey No.: 24 Bats/throws: R/R Positions: Pitcher/shortstop/third base Favorite professional team: Atlanta Braves Favorite professional athlete: Austin Riley

“We lost to Denver City, Texas, 5-2 in opening pool play,” Cox said. “We got to the field that day, stretching and loosening up, and I told the other coaches we didn’t look well. It was tight and shouldn’t have been, we were up 2-1 in the top of the last inning then blew the game.”

The loss could have been the defining moment of the season in the wrong way for the team, but it could actually turn out to help Opp going forward. The team bounced back to finish out the regionals against the very same team that beat them in the first game, winning 8-2 to advance to the World Series.

“I think that kind of flipped the switch,” Cox said about the loss to Denver City. “You have to play at a high level to compete. If we drop a game up here it doesn’t mean game over. I think that it’s big knowing you can take a loss and be there at the end.”

Making it to the World Series was a complete team effort, but without Porter Nelson it would have been a whole lot harder for Opp to win the Southwest Region. Nelson pitched a complete game in the championship game against Denver City and was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Cox mentioned Cash Harrell and Cam James as two others who stepped up big in Opp’s road to the World Series, but overall it was a complete team effort.

“It’s not a one-man show,” Cox stated. “We have played well … it’s not just one guy, it’s a group effort. We have quality arms that have pitched well through this and have given us a chance to win every game.”

Name: Clay Jackson Jersey No.: 12 Bats/throws: L/L Position: Center field/pitcher/first base Favorite professional team: Los Angeles Angels Favorite professional athlete: Mike Trout

Cox added that pitching will be key for his Opp in this World Series.

“We’ve got to throw strikes,” said Cox. “If we throw strikes with our quality arms … we’ll be in every game.”

Like many of the teams playing, Opp’s players are very familiar playing together, having started at 5 years old. The group chemistry has made it easier to coach them and so has the support and attitude of the parents.

“These kids have played together since they were 5,” Cox said. “They’re all from Opp, they all play on the high school team together from a town of just 4,000 people. The parents get along well too, which is great for coaching.”

It’s not just the coaching and the talent to get a team to the World Series, but also the community support and Opp has plenty of it.

Name: Cam James Jersey No.: 3 Bats/throws: R/R Position: Left field Favorite professional team: Cincinnati Reds Favorite professional athlete: Elly de la Cruz

“It’s been awesome, the support we’ve had has just been overwhelming,” Cox said what making the World Series means to the community. “The entire community, the whole county has gotten behind this and has talked to the players and praised the players and helped the team financially. The community has just been great toward that, it’s just big for the city of Opp.”

While it is a big opportunity for Opp to do something the city hasn’t done before, Cox acknowledged how important the Babe Ruth World Series is for all the competing teams.

“It’s a great opportunity not just for my kids and players,” Cox said. “It’s a great chance for kids all across the country to come showcase their skills. This is big for a whole lot of people.”

Name: Calen Richardson Jersey No.: 10 Bats/throws: R/R Positions: Left field/right field Favorite professional team: Atlanta Braves Favorite professional athlete: Matt Olson

Name: Dawson Cox Jersey No.: 6 Bats/throws: R/R Position: Second base Favorite professional team: Atlanta Braves Favorite professional athlete: Jackie Robinson

Name: Matthew Morgan Jersey No.: 00 Bats/throws: L/R Positions: Third base/pitcher Favorite professional team: Texas Rangers Favorite professional athlete: Mickey Mantle

Name: Parker Baker Jersey No.: 44 Bats/throws: R/R Position: First base Favorite professional team: Philadelphia Eagles Favorite professional athlete: Jason Kelce

Name: Porter Nelson Jersey No.: 11 Bats/throws: L/R Positions: Shortstop/third base/pitcher Favorite professional team: Atlanta Braves Favorite professional athlete: Ronald Acuna Jr.

Name: Tate Hall Jersey No.: 7 Bats/throws: R/R Positions: Second base/pitcher Favorite professional team: Atlanta Braves Favorite professional athlete: Ronald Acuna Jr.

Name: Talan Wicker Jersey No.: 15 Bats/throws: R/R Position: Center field Favorite professional team: Boston Red Sox Favorite professional athlete: Rafael Devers

Name: Ty Wiginton Jersey No.: 25 Bats/throws: R/R Position: Third base Favorite professional team: Philadelphia Phillies Favorite professional athlete: Bryce Harper

Name: Will Jackson Jersey No.: 9 Bats/throws: R/R Positions: Catcher/shortstop/third base Favorite professional team: Atlanta Braves Favorite professional athlete: Matt Olson