Dudley’s done

All good things must come to an end. And, unfortunately, it was the end of the road for the Dudley Little League 12U softball team. Dudley, just two games shy of the championship game, took on a formidable team from Chesterfield, Virginia, on Tuesday at the Southeastern Regional Tournament held in Warner Robins.

Both teams were undefeated heading into the eagerly-awaited matchup, with Chesterfield riding the momentum from a big win over an overmatched Florida team (8-0) and Dudley coming off a tight win over Rowan, North Carolina (4-2).

The game started out as somewhat of a pitchers’ duel, with starting pitchers — Peyton Crabb for Dudley and Kaylee Hodges for Chesterfield — keeping the game scoreless through the first two innings.

In the bottom of the third inning, however, the team from Virginia started to find their rhythm at the plate, breaking through with four runs on two hits and two errors.

Chesterfield’s Kaylee Hodges put on a pitching clinic, striking out 16 batters as she pitched her way to a no-hitter. This girl was on fire, and Dudley had no answer at the plate.

Over the next two innings, Chesterfield tacked on three more runs, making it 7-0, which would remain the final score.

In a game later that evening, Dudley, who had beaten Rowan once before, as previously mentioned, was shut out again, losing 3-0 to the team from North Carolina they had beaten a few days prior. Dudley just could not seem to get the sticks going Tuesday. But I have feeling they will be back next year.

Rowan would go on to face Chesterfield in the championship game — a tight game that went down to the wire. In the end, Chesterfield emerged victorious, squeaking by the Rowan team, 4-3, to move on to the Little League World Series in Greenville next month to make their second straight trip to the big dance.

On a lighter note, after the game, Dudley’s Coach Thompson, put on quite the display of good sportsmanship, intentionally seeking out and congratulating the pitcher that just no-hit his team. A classy move from the old ball coach.

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