MORGANTON — Consistency, fight and chemistry, a trio of qualities vital to the success of any team, was the foundational philosophy behind the Washington 8U All-Stars girls’ softball team’s composed veneer.

For head coach Tony Chrismon, Washington and a collection of the top teams from Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Alabama, this was the final stop — the “World Series” of 8U softball — and the small town team from Beaufort County did not disappoint.

Looking through the 8-year-old label, this was by no means in easy road for Washington. Arriving Tuesday evening, Washington would have to face North Carolina western state champion Alexander County, population 37,000, in the first day of pool play.

In the first inning of the 5 p.m. game, Alexander County came out swinging, posting nine quick runs in an offensive assault that took the energy out of the fans, but certainly not the girls.

“Our girls — honestly, eight year olds — you would think they would collapse, but they fought back,” Chrismon said.

By the fifth inning, Washington had narrowed the deficit to one run against the region’s top team, as the score was now 13-12. The girls went on to lose that opening game, 17-13. However, the comeback proved that they could keep pace with the best.

Leaning on consistent, immaculate defense, the girls went on to defeat Greater Manassas, 9-2, on Thursday.

Rain pushed back tournament play Friday and on Saturday, Chrismon’s team was faced with another daunting challenge. Like Washington, Glen Allen, the No. 2 team in their five-team division, had kept it close with Alexander County on Friday, and were coming off a hard-earned, one-run victory against Winter Park.

Competing on a soggy field, Washington kept it close with its opponent. Then, in the fourth inning, a torrent of rain, once again, soaked everything in its path. With Friday’s cancelations, both teams were forced to tough it out and play through the elements.

Washington emerged from the deluge victorious, locking up a spot in the knockout stage.

“We came ready to play on Sunday,” Chrismon said. “When we were playing the first game against Union County, (Alexander County) was playing Pitt County. I knew both of them had bats.”

Alexander County routed Pitt and Washington pulled off a victory against Union County, setting the stage for a rematch in the Southeast Regional Championship.

“I felt confident that we could hang with them and possibly get the win,” Chrismon said. “We made some mental errors we shouldn’t have, but our bats were pretty good.”

In a low scoring affair, a game expected to provide fans with an offensive clinic came down to defense.

Ava Shae Mizell and Shaelee Chrismon started things off on a high note with two singles, but Alexander County escaped the inning unscathed. The second inning told a similar story. Despite base hits from Erin Everett, Katherine Pollock, Kirbi Case, Ana Claire Roberson, Washington failed to score a run.

Up 1-0 heading into the third, Alexander County opened up with six-straight singles and a double, bringing the lead to six. But this time around, four Washington hits results in two runs.

The rest of the game resulted in a defensive stalemate, as Alexander County went on to defeat Washington, 7-3.

“This is one superb group of girls,” Chrismon said. “I know when the time comes we’ll have some girls that will find other things they want to do, but these girls have bonded and played together since 6U. It’s going to mean a lot for the future of Washington softball. Us coaches sit around and talk about what could happen in six or eight years when these girls get in high school. It has the potential to be a powerhouse.”

The 8U softball team finishes the all-star season with an 11-4 record.

“These girls are so special to me and give 110 percent,” Chrismon said. “It’s awesome to see what they’ve been able to achieve. These girls are so good it didn’t take a lot of coaching. It was awesome to sit back and watch them perform.”