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Hudson's run ends

OCALA -- All Hudson wanted was a little respect.

That came with a 20-win season, the school's first district title and after Friday's loss to Ocala Forest that ended the Cobras' season.

"I was very impressed with Hudson," Forest coach Wayne Yancey said after a 6-3 win over the Cobras.

"We wanted respect," said Rob Petrucci, one of three Hudson seniors. "We were trying to fight for it all year. That drove us."

Hudson (20-9) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on Jimmy Clougher's two-run double, but quickly lost it as Forest capitalized on three Hudson errors to take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of that inning.

Matt Fabian hit a two-run single to put the Wildcats ahead for good. Fabian raced to third on Petrucci's error in centerfield before coming around on Jed Yancey's sacrifice fly.

The Cobras were not done yet. Clougher opened the fifth with a single and scored on Shannon Eva's groundout to pull within 4-3.

"We didn't fall apart," Hudson coach Jack Ledbetter said. "We got it back to 4-3. I feel nothing but good about this ballclub."

Steven Baker's two-run single in the bottom of the fifth gave the Wildcats (26-5) a three-run cushion and accounted for the final margin.

But the game was not settled until the Cobras threatened one last time. Jared Lorentsen reached base on a fielder's choice and David Leduc walked, giving Hudson baserunners with two outs in the top of the seventh.

The game ended when Forest reliever struck out Shannon Eva.

"They came up there swinging the bat in the last inning," Yancey said. "They didn't give up."

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