SURFSIDE BEACH, SC-The Laurinburg Optimist Baseball and Softball leagues have had one roller coaster of a summer.

For the 12-and-under Laurinburg Optimist Softball All-Stars, the summer ended on an extremely high note.

Laurinburg claimed the 2010 Summer Flame Fastpitch Tournament championship after going 5-0-1 in the gold ring tournament that took place in late July.

In a special ceremony taking place at Optimist Park Monday night, the girls picked up their championship rings. Of those rings, a very special one to presented to Debra Hayes, the widow of Phillip Hayes, a member of the Laurinburg Optimist Club, and the visionary behind the growth of the Laurinburg Optimist Baseball and Softball league.

For Debra Hayes, this moment would've made her husband so proud of the girls. Phillip Hayes passed away in early June at the age of 57.

"We're very appreciative. Phillip (Hayes) would be very proud of these girls," said Debra Hayes. "Over the years, they've meant so much to him and he really loves all of them."

After tying with the Carolina Lightning in the first game, 3-3, Laurinburg would play three more times on day one. To make matters worse, the girls were playing in near 100-degree heat. In spite of all that, coach Wayne Butler was pleased with the girls for sticking it out, thanks in part to four-hour practices.

"It was really hot but the girls held up," Butler said. "They played their best and they never gave up from four-hour practices in the heat, which got them ready."

After defeating Carolina Grits by the scores of 5-4 and 5-2, Optimist defeated the Lightning by a score of 4-0. As a team, Laurinburg sported a . 319 batting average in six games.

"It was a great experience," said Butler. "My philosophy for the girls was 'you're going to learn to run track or play softball' and I believe they learned to play softball."

"They've done a great job. I've coached alot of years and I had alot of fun with these girls on and off the field," Butler added.

Optimist capped off the undefeated tournament with 5-4 and 4-3 victories over the Horry County Stingers.

With a crop of the girls who have not aged out of the 12-and-under division, Butler is hoping that the girls can come back and do it again in 2011.

"There's a good chance that we could repeat because of all the girls we have coming back," said Butler. "They have the talent to repeat and now they'll know what to expect."

Alot of the credit for this championship goes to Phillip Hayes. Because of his hard work in putting together the softball program for Laurinburg Optimist and his support of the girls.

"This means alot to Phillip (Hayes)," said Butler of the late club member. "He was real supportive of the girls and he would've loved to have been here to see this because he was one of people who helped get the girls started.”