The Rehoboth Rays, an 11-year-old Dizzy Dean baseball team from Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker, made church history recently.

In the team’s first year of Dizzy Dean competition, it advanced all the way to the Dizzy Dean World Series after defeating Jackson County, Ga., in the state championship game.

“It was the greatest feeling in the world,” Rays coach Ken Barr said.

“The kids really focused on all the aspects of the game and it really paid off.”

The Rays were a part of the World Series festivities, which took place in Nicholson, Ga., from July 16 to July 23, thanks to a perfect 5-0 record in state tournament play.

The team, which has been playing together for close to three years, was unable to continue their winning ways once in the World Series, however.

Despite, posting a 6-2 record and outscoring its opponents 93-35, the Rays were sent back to Tucker empty-handed as the team lost in the championship game of the consolation round to Jackson County, Ala.

Both of the team’s losses came during their opponent’s final at bats.

“For each of the tournaments before [the World Series], the kids were all extremely nervous,” Barr said.

“But for the World Series, they were very relaxed and excited — I think they were really able to enjoy the moment.”

The team finished with a .460 batting average, thanks to Kason Rheney, David Johnson and Jaret Barr, Ken Barr’s son, who all hit over .500.

Garrett Boden led the way on the mound as he finished with two wins and an earned run average of 1.50.

The World Series was comprised of 35 teams from all around the South, including Florida, Texas, and North Carolina.

Before advancing to the State Championship or the World Series, the Rays had to win their district, which they did in dramatic fashion after defeating the Sandy Springs Storm in two games.

“I have coached baseball for various ages at Rehoboth Baptist Church for the past six years, loving every minute of it, but this year stands out above all the others,” Barr said.