The Dartmouth Elite U16 softball team is in the running for the national championship title for the third time.

Dartmouth Elite edged out five opponents at the U16 state tournament between June 30-July 2 to secure its title as state champions. Now, the team will advance to the national competition in York, Pennsylvania. The teams will play to determine seeding on August 3 before heading into a double elimination tournament to determine a national champion out of 23 contenders.

It’s the second time Dartmouth Elite won the state championship, and the third time the team will compete in the national competition.

Head Coach Jeremy Sousa said the 11-member team has been playing together for the past six years, originally starting together at the U10 level. Over the years, teammates have developed a close bond.

This past season, Sousa prepped for what he knows will be tough competition in nationals, drawing on past experience with facing particularly tough pitchers. Dartmouth Elite entered tournaments with older U18 teams throughout the season, a move he hoped would help build their confidence and abilities going up against older opponents.

“That prepped the girls mentally and physically to handle next-level competition,” Sousa said.

Sousa said his number one tool for improvement is keeping a close eye on mistakes.

“The key to having such success is working on the mistakes we’ve had in past games,” Sousa explained.

Dartmouth Elite currently holds a 15-4 record.