By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Webb City’s Nicole Hudson, in essence, refused to lose.

The same was true for Carthage’s Denise Taylor.

But the masterful Hudson finally got the necessary offensive support — and breaks — to best Taylor 1-0 in eight innings for the championship of the Class 4 District 12 Tournament on Saturday at the Fair Acres Sports Complex.

Webb City (26-3), Class 3 champion in 2007, faces Ozark (23-5) at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the sectional round at Fair Acres.

Said Webb City coach Walter Resa: “Both pitchers (senior right-handers) threw a great game. It came down to a break.”

Said Carthage coach Gordon Godfrey: “It was a matchup of two outstanding teams and two great pitchers. Unfortunately, we came out on the short end.

“We played an outstanding game (keyed by Taylor and solid defense until the telling eighth),” Godfrey said. “But Nicole was awesome.”

Hudson tossed a no-hitter and missed a perfect game by issuing a pass to Sam Bogle on a 3-2 pitch with one out in the seventh.

Hudson, who struck out 18, opened the contest with five whiffs. She fanned the side in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Taylor, who stymied Hudson (0-for-3), allowed five hits, walked two and struck out four.

Brooklyn Farrell raced to third on a one-out single and overthrow at first base to ignite Webb City in the bottom of the eighth. Hudson then walked on a 3-1 pitch.

Kylie Jones’ bunt single and another miscue brought home Farrell.

“It was just one of those hard games (to lose),” Godfrey said.