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.
Webb City had left the bases loaded in the first and stranded two runners in the fifth.
“We had scoring opportunities,” Resa said. “But Denise, when needed, got the outs. She was tough in the clutch.”
Shortstop Amber Taylor’s grab of Shelby Stuck’s pop fly and center fielder Courtney Borland’s recovery and throw to second to nail Morgan Coleman trying for a double backed Denise Taylor.
Webb City catcher Chelsea Smith, a freshman, said that Hudson’s performance was typical of her recent outings.
“Maybe she had more movement on her pitches,” Smith said. “She’s a senior. ... she wanted the victory.”
Said Hudson: “I felt better today about my pitching compared to yesterday (an 8-0 win against Joplin). I had better control.
“I really wasn’t thinking about a perfect game,” Hudson said. “I was focused on getting outs and winning the game.”
Added Resa: “She was in total control. In my eyes it’s a strike (the pitch in the seventh to walk Bogle). My eyes don’t matter.”
It was the second meeting of the season between the Central Ozark Conference teams. Carthage, which finished 19-11, lost the league game 2-0 in eight innings.
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