The Lampasas M-Pact U-14 team poses following its third-place finish at the Regional Pony League Tournament last weekend. Pictured are players, back row from left, Alex Caruthers, Rebecca Chaney, Kelsi Gilseth, Abbie Carson, Tori Caruthers, Tiffani Walthrop, Baylee Langley, Kinzi Courtney, Destiny Henderson, Paige Hale and Cathleen Garczynski. Front row from left are assistant coach Dennis Courtney, head coach Greg Gilseth and assistant coach Tony Langley. The Lampasas M-Pact earned a trip to the national tournament over the weekend, but that might have been the easy part.

After finishing third in their stint at the Regional Pony League Tournament in Castroville, the U- 14 softball squad has a lot of work ahead of them as they attempt to raise funds for the trek to nationals in Harlingen July 27-August 2.

Before they could even contemplate putting in the tireless efforts of practice and fund-raising events that dot the calendar over the upcoming week, the M-Pact had to prove their worth at regionals.

The Lampasas County Youth League team went 3-2 in the 10- team regional tournament, grabbing the final national tournament bid against some of Central Texas' stiffest competition.

"We are a young team," head coach Greg Gilseth said. "We faced older, more experienced teams, but the girls dug deep and played extremely hard and made us all proud."

Lmapasas opened the tournament with three consecutive victories, knocking off the San Antonio JYSF All Stars 5-2 in the first round before shutting out San Antonio's Tri City Triple Threat 6-0 and beating the Marble Falls Fusion 4- 1.

The trio of wins kept the M-Pact on the winners' side of the bracket. The team could not pick up another victory, but, although they proceeded to drop their final two games, the loses came against the tournament's top teams.

The San Antonio Southwest Dragons and the Round Rock Trouble thwarted Lampasas' undefeated dreams before going on to place first and second, respectively. Both will join the MPact at the national tournament.

After falling to the Southwest Dragons, Lampasas suffered a heartbreaking loss to Round Rock, narrowly missing the regional championship contest.

While disappointed in the conclusion, the team has little to be upset about.

With the losses behind them, the M-Pact have a full slate of activities ahead of them as they try to earn money for their trip while simultaneously honing their skills on the diamond.

In between practices, the team will be participating in a number of fund-raising activities.

Team members will set up shop outside of Wal-Mart beginning at 5 p.m. today to sell snow cones.

On Saturday morning, the team will hold a benefit car wash in the Gatti's Pizza parking lot beginning at 11 a.m. There is no charge for the service, but donations will be accepted.

There will also be a benefit yard sale behind the Texas Real Estate Sales building on Highway 281 Friday and Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Donated items will be accepted for sale.

On July 25, the M-Pact is hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Applebee's in Copperas Cove from 8-10 a.m. Tickets are $5 and will be available for purchase at the door.

The team is also looking for businesses willing to provide sponsorships.

"Advancing to the national tournament is a huge accomplishment and the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of each member of the team," parent Tulisha Carson said. "There are many costs associated with tournaments at this level, and the team has been working hard since the beginning of their season to raise the funds."

Any businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring the team or making a donation should contact Carson at 734-1447.