Full of energy, the Gaffney Mite League all-stars are ready to make their mark at the Cal Ripken League Southeast Regional in Pulaski, Tenn.

The team left Tuesday for the regional, which begins on Wednesday with a banquet. The games begin on Thursday, with Gaffney matched against the Porter Ridge all-stars. Gaffney is also slated to play twice on Friday and once on Saturday.

The 20 teams will be divided into four pools. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the championship bracket games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“The kids are real excited,” Gaffney manager Billy Richards said.

The Gaffney all-stars advanced to the regional after finishing as the state runner up earlier this month. It’s the fifth straight year a Gaffneybased Mite League all-star team has advanced to the regional tournament.

As for the team, Ryker Ward will play first, while Daniel Mabry will play second, Zach Painter is at short and Gage Martin plays third. Jonathan Overton will be behind the plate and Caden Richards fields the pitching mound.

In Mite League, the pitches are fired from a machine.

Luke Robbins, Carson Painter, Gage Medley and Weston Brown will play the outfield slots.

Richards said he’s confident his team will score runs and play well defensively but depth is a concern. The team will only have 10 available players.

“It’s going to be extremely hot and I’m just concerned about our lack of depth,” he said.