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Rustburg softball living out childhood dreams of winning a state championship

The Red Devils are undefeated and will face New Kent in the Class 3 State Championship

RUSTBURG, Va. โ€“ Nearly three months ago, the members of the Rustburg softball team were unsure if they would even have a season.

โ€œWe had like a week of practice then we had to quarantine for two weeks,โ€ head coach Katie Bigham said. โ€œIt was challenging at the beginning because then weโ€™re thinking what if someone else gets it, what if weโ€™re disqualified and canโ€™t play anymore.โ€

Now, on the eve of the Class 3 State Softball Championship, they sure are grateful they did.

โ€œOur rally started then we had to pull together and be there for everyone,โ€ said senior Morgan Smith. โ€œI think that set us up for success when it could have brought us down. We all saw the value in really pulling tight together.โ€

The undefeated Red Devils have quite the talent in pitcher Eden Bigham, who has thrown four perfect games this season.

โ€œObviously our pitcher is ridiculous. Sheโ€™s insane. So that definitely helps a lot,โ€ said senior Carly Hudnall.

And as of late, Rustburgโ€™s dynamic hitting has lifted them over region opponents.

โ€œObviously, our bats have been pretty hot lately, itโ€™s been like that all season,โ€ she added. โ€œMaybe just gone a little more unnoticed. Just putting balls in play, relying on our defense as well as our pitching.โ€

While they may not realize it, most of these players have been preparing for this moment since they were kids. Theyโ€™ve been playing softball together for years.

โ€œI mean what a way to go out,โ€ Smith said. โ€œThatโ€™s what weโ€™ve been praying for, what weโ€™ve been fighting for, and it would make all our dreams come true especially as an end to our final season.โ€

And theyโ€™re just seven innings away from achieving the dreams they had back then.

โ€œI want it so bad for them, for all of them, but especially those girls that itโ€™s it for them, so letโ€˜s go out with a bang,โ€ Bigham finished.

First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. on Saturday in New Kent.


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Brooke Leonard is the newest addition to the 10 Sports team, joining in June 2019.