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The Chocowinity 16U All-Stars pose with their second-place medals after the Babe Ruth World Series in Jensen Beach, Fl. Front row from left: Kelsey Roach, Taylor Willard, Samantha Braddy and Londyn Keech. Back from left: Peyton Lane, Bella Boykin, Jorden Clark, Krissy Gurkins, Hannah Black, Marah Massey and Jorden Clark (Submitted photo)

Bella Boykin helped the Chocowinity 16U All-Stars advance to the 16U Babe Ruth World Series semi-finals with a one-hitter Saturday. (Submitted photo)

Marah Massey hit her first home run in Saturday’s 3-0 victory at the Babe Ruth World Series in Jensen Beach Fl. (Submitted photo)

Jaden Clark (L) hit her first home run in the Babe Ruth World Series Thursday, a day after Hannah Black (R) homered. (Submitted photo)

Hannah Black (L), Marah Massey and Jaden Clark were named to the 16U All-Defensive team. (Submitted photo)

The Chocowinity 16U All-Stars pose with their second-place medals after the Babe Ruth World Series in Jensen Beach, Fl. Front row from left: Kelsey Roach, Taylor Willard, Samantha Braddy and Londyn Keech. Back from left: Peyton Lane, Bella Boykin, Jorden Clark, Krissy Gurkins, Hannah Black, Marah Massey and Jorden Clark (Submitted photo)

After staving off elimination first thing in the morning, the Chocowinity 16U softball All-Stars battled South Texas into extra innings in Monday afternoon’s Babe Ruth World Series championship game in Jensen Beach, Fl., but fell short, 3-2, in eight innings.

The teams met for the third time in the Series and while Chocowinity came closer each time, South Texas prevailed to go through the tournament undefeated.

The All-Stars had runners at first and second with nobody out in the sixth inning, but couldn’t score the go-ahead run, then had another shot an inning later, but also couldn’t get the run home.

“We had some chances and a couple of calls went against us at the end, but overall, I’m really proud of our team,” coach Reed Clark said. “We played very well in all phases and other coaches told us our hitting and pitching were the best in the tournament.”

After losing to South Texas Sunday, the All-Stars faced elimination Monday morning against the Wisconsin Fastpitch Academy, a team they had beaten three times.

Wisconsin scored four runs in their first at-bat, but Chocowinity came back with three in the bottom of the first. Wisconsin answered with a run in the second for a 5-3 lead, but the All-Stars scored twice in the fifth to tie, then stayed alive in the tournament when Jorden Clark ended the game with a double to center field to score Londyn Keech with the winning run.

“The way they jumped on us with four in the first was a wake-up call,” Clark said. “The girls knew they had to find a way to get another shot at Texas and they did. They made some great plays and had some big hits to pull that one out.”

The All-Stars finished the season 20-4.

Hannah Black led Chocowinity with a .474 batting average, two home runs and nine runs batted in. She was named to the All-World Series team and the All-Defensive team.

Londyn Keech joined Black on the All-Series team with a .450 average, three doubles and 11 runs scored.

Jaden Clark and Marah Massey joined Black on the All-Defensive team.

Right hander Bella Boykin did not allow an earned run in 17 innings pitched until late in the championship game and struck out 21 batters.

Jaden Clark struck out 16 batters in 20 innings pitched.

“Bella was outstanding in the championship game and through the entire tournament,” Clark said. “Going down there was a great experience and the girls made some friends that I think they will keep in touch with. The Wisconsin team was cheering for us in the last game and the Boston team gave our girls their headbands to show their support. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a World Series and our girls learned they could play with anybody in the county.”

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