A trip to the Cal Ripken World Series is in the sights of Lawrence County’s 12-year-old all-star team and all that is standing in their way is 11 other teams from throughout the Ohio Valley.

Lawrence County is one of 12 teams competing in the Cal Ripken Ohio Valley Regional, which began Thursday in Crown Point, Ind., with the winner advancing to the Cal Ripken World Series.

The 12 teams are initially divided into three pools of four teams each, with them playing a round-robin format over the first two days.

Lawrence County – who currently boasts a 5-0-1 record and went 4-0 en route to winning the Illinois State Tournament – is in Pool A and will open against Campbellsville, Ky., at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Lawrence County will then play St. Matthews, Ky., Friday at 12:30 p.m., followed by a game against Vincennes to wrap up pool play at 4 p.m.

Teams in Pool B are the host team, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Ind., Butler County, Ky. and South Lexington, Ky.

Teams in Pool C are Janesville, Wisc., Beechmont, Ky., Ohio County, Ky. and Evegreen Park, Ill.

Once pool play is completed, the top six teams will advance to a single-elimination tournament that starts Saturday. Quarterfinal and semifinal games will be played Saturday, with the championship game set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Players on the Lawrence County squad are Owen Dowty, Easton Dowty, Jude Shick, Bentley Brian, Landon Tate, Jaxon Kiser, Kolby Carmichael, Drew Mosbey, Mattey Sanders, Keagan Puckett, CR McVaigh and Cooper Hires.

Coaches are John Wattles, Mike Moore, Ryan Shick and Terry Puckett.

The winner of the Ohio Valley Regional will advance to the Cal Ripken World Series in Branson, Mo., Aug. 4-13.