The Mississippi Mudbugs look to repeat their undefeated tournament run from 2013, in this year’s Moose International Special Olympics North American Softball Invitational. But they have to get there first.

The tournament is held in Wichita, Kansas from Sept. 24 through Sept. 27. Some of the members from the Mudbugs have never flown before and are looking forward to the trip, if they can make it.

“They’re already ready to go,” Mudbugs head coach Sandy Hearn said. “We’ve been practicing every Sunday since the end of May for three hours. They’re gung-ho, they’re ready to go and are really, really excited.”

Saturday afternoon the Vicksburg Moose Lodge will have a fundraiser Saturday to support the Mudbugs’ transportation.

The lodge will be selling barbecue chicken dinners for $10. Patrons can dine in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or pickup is available.

A bake sale and cake-walk also will be held during the time.

An auction will conclude the day’s events and will start after patrons finish eating. The ietms from the auction will range from small door prizes to a cooler filled with tailgate essentials.

The Mudbugs have raised over $8,000 since May and need about $4,000 more to reach their goal.

A month ago the Mudbugs held a car wash fundraiser at Pizza Hut and raised $800 themselves. Pizza Hut also donated a percentage of the day’s earnings to the team resulting in $165.

Hearn talked to Alice Hebler, the chairman of benefit of Moose Lodge and a member of Jacob’s Ladder board of directors along with Hearn, about the invitational.

Hearn told Hebler about the Moose connection and Hebler jumped on the opportunity to help.

“I’ve already talked to her and they have already got like $1,700 from Moose Legions. They’re all excited and ready,” Hearn said.

The Moose Legion will prepare the food for the day and some of the Mudbugs will be in attendance. Hearn said the Moose Lodge has jumped on the bandwagon right off.

“I appreciate what the Moose has done for us,” Hearn said. “I’m really, really excited that the Moose has stepped on board with this.”

The Mudbugs have learned how to back up an infield and back each other up on the outfield.

Before then, they just watched the ball once it was hit, now every player on the field moves to make a play happen.

Winning at the tournament would mean a lot to these players who have worked to improve their approach to the game.

“To them it would be like winning the World Series. I’ve talked to some of my players and they’re more interested in watching baseball. They want to watch the plays and see what they’re missing out on,” Hearn said.