They’ve done it again.

The Area 10 Special Olympics softball team Mississippi Mudbugs will play in the Moose International 2015 Special Olympics North American Softball Invitational from Sept 24 – 27 in Wichita, Kan.

Mississippi Mudbugs head coach Sandy Hearn said the team competed in the same tournament in 2013 in New Jersey where they were undefeated.

“To be able to go you would have to have qualified at our fall games,” she said. “We won first place. We’ve got a pretty awesome team.”

Hearn said at the international competition the team will compete with around 38 other teams, including teams from Puerto Rico, Canada and all over the United States.

“We’re out here doing a fundraiser to raise money to go to the Moose International softball tournament in Wichita, Kan.

Shortstop Ladell Butler said he’s been playing with the team for a long time.

“We’re pretty good,” he said. “We win a lot.”

Ladell said he’s looking forward to going to the invitational in Kansas.

“I have a lot of fun with them,” he said.

Vicksburg Girls’ Softball Association president Rick Daughtry said he recently became involved with the Special Olympics over the last few months.

“I got started with my girlfriend JoLee Ming,” he said. “She started doing it last year and asked me to come to a practice, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Daughtry said it’s very fulfilling.

“I’ve coached a lot of girls and a lot of boys, but I get a lot more enjoyment out of this,” he said.

The trip will cost $12,500 total for 15 athletes and five coaches: $8,500 for transportation, $2,000 for uniforms, $500 for equipment and $1,500 for miscellaneous expenses.

The Moose Lodge will do a plate lunch and auction fundraiser for the trip Aug. 1, and the team is planning several other fundraisers.

To make a donation, send payment to Area 10 Special Olympics MS at 190 Kirkland Rd. Vicksburg, MS 39180.