AMERICUS — Geoffrey McDonald and Hunter Weldon got a good taste of how competitive Little League can be last summer.

The two played on the first area Little League team and are repeat selections for this year.

“Usually, the team that represents the league is made up of 12-year-olds, and Geoffrey and Hunter were fortunate enough to get two spots last year,” said coach Marty McDonald. “That experience will help especially against teams like Columbus and Moultrie. To see that quality of baseball at that level, it might give them an advantage on how to get ready for teams like that.”

Sumter Area starts its trek Monday night when it hosts the sub-district best-of-3 series with a team out of Albany. Games 1 and 2 are at 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday with the “if necessary” game slated for Wednesday.

Last year’s team reached the District championship in Columbus, and this year’s squad is 15-1 so far this summer, with its only loss coming to Lee County, 3-1, in the Kiwanis Baseball Classic.

“We have really been playing well,” said McDonald. “Pitching has been good, and our hitting is really coming around.”

With 11 players from the six recreation teams, McDonald said there’s a good mixture of talented players.

“Our players all get along really well and seem to have a lot of fun playing together,” he said. “Their attitude has been great all summer. Every player has been working hard trying to get better to help the team. They have all been willing to try new positions and continue to practice hard even during these hot days.

“We had a lot of good players in the league that would have been an asset to the team, and it’s not an easy thing in picking the team.”

Known as the Sumter Stallions, the team has played in three tournaments, and with the exception of three games, none have been decided by less than 10 runs. McDonald said, however, the competition stiffens up compared with the teams it has played so far.

“With the travel ball, the competition picks up, the pitching staffs are deeper, outfield play becomes a lot more important, and the grind of playing lots of games is tough,” he said. “We started off the season playing nine games in seven days — six of those coming in three days. It’s not easy, but it’s a lot of fun.

“Another thing is the time and travel it takes for a team like this. Parents have to get players to the park or take them out of town most every day. It is a big commitment from the whole family.”

Fortunately, McDonald said the kids have a lot of talent and can handle the pressure.

“I think as long as they keep believing in themselves, we can win as many games as they want to,” he said. “Having so many kids can pitch, that can make a big difference in playing a lot of games. They love to play, and they don’t lose their enthusiasm.”

Geoffrey McDonald and Weldon lead the way after helping the Phillies to the 12-and-under championship. McDonald controlled the mound while Weldon single-handedly beat teams with his bat at times.