REGION 1D SOFTBALL: Hurley High School's last hurrah comes in 24-0 loss at Chilhowie (copy)
Chilhowie's Denessa Martin swings for a hit against Hurley on Friday afternoon.
Chilhowie's Lexi Williams throws to first base for an out against Hurley in the Region 1D Quarterfinals.
Chilhowie's Lyla Grinstead swings for a hit against Hurley on Friday afternoon.
Chilhowie's Lexi Williams gets the final out on a Hurley player on Friday afternoon.
Chilhowie's Lexi Williams runs down the third base line to score a run for the Warriors.
Chilhowie's Emmaline Dowell pitches for the Warriors on Friday against Hurley.
Chilhowie's Kinsley Sheets throws a pitch against Hurley on Friday afternoon.
CHILHOWIE, Va. – For the Chilhowie Warriors, Friday afternoon’s game marked the final tune-up for a much-anticipated matchup that has been months in the making.
For their opponents, there will be no more games to be played in 2026 – or in perpetuity for that matter.
The Hurley Rebels were crushed 24-0 by Chilhowie in the quarterfinals of the VHSL Region 1D softball tournament in what was a historical moment.
It was Hurley’s last hurrah as the school will combine with Grundy, Council and Twin Valley to form Southern Gap, the consolidated school in Buchanan County that opens in less than three months.
Since the Rebels did not have any athletes qualify for next week’s VHSL Class 1 state track and field championships, Hurley High School’s final sporting event took place on Friday in Smyth County.
“This was it for everybody,” said Hurley coach Chris Wolford. “It’s a sad day, but like I told the girls you just have to move on and make the best of it.”
Chilhowie (20-3) did what it had to do in bouncing back from a 13-11 loss to Honaker in the finals of the Hogoheegee District tournament that snapped an 18-game winning streak.
“They put that away,” said Chilhowie coach John Sabo following his 604th career head-coaching triumph. “They sure did. We’ve worked on a lot of stuff since then.”
The Warriors sent 18 batters to the plate in the first inning on Friday and 14 of them scored.
Payton Hester set the tone from the leadoff spot with two hits, two RBIs and four runs scored. The catcher missed the first six games of the season with a shoulder injury.
“She still showed up at practice every day and ran every day,” Sabo said. “She’s a fighter.”
Chilhowie has lost just once since Hester returned to the lineup and she has scored 34 runs.
“It was pretty smooth getting back,” Hester said.
She thrives as the table-setter for a squad that has feasted on opposing pitchers.
“Overall, we’re a really good team and have the potential to go far,” Hester said. “We have to keep a good mindset and keep each other up.”
Lexi Williams (4-for-4, four runs, four RBIs), Madi Preston (1-for-1, three hit by pitches, three runs), Anna Ramirez (two hits) and Denessa Martin (3-for-4, three RBIs) also helped Chilhowie score double-digit runs for the 10th time this season.
Meanwhile, Emmaline Dowell, Kylee Dancy and Kinsley Sheets combined to pitch a five-inning no-hitter with seven strikeouts and three walks.
The Warriors will have to be at the top of their game when they face defending VHSL Class 1 state champion Eastside (19-5) on Monday at 4 p.m. in the regional semifinals at Emory & Henry University.
The teams have been on a collision course all season.
“Everybody’s been wanting to see it,” Sabo said. “We’re ready.”
Eastside coach Suzi Osborne Atwood played for Sabo in the mid-1980s during his lengthy and successful tenure calling the shots at Castlewood. That is one of many intriguing storylines in the contest.
“I think it’ll be a good game,” Hester said. “We’ll have to show out and pick each other up.”
The game ended when Jayda Stacy of Hurley hit into a double play.
Brooklyn Owens, Jaida Hardin and Karissa Hurley drew walks for the Rebels in the loss.
Sophomore catcher Kesha Hagerman had a strong season for the Rebels and entered the final game with a .427 batting average.
“We had good sportsmanship and worked together good,” Hagerman said. “I’m glad to end this year with the people I know. It’s scary going to a new school and being with new people, but I’m kind of excited for a new adventure.”
Hurley finished its final season with an 8-10 record.
“It would have been easy to say we’re done when school was out, but they wanted to finish it off the right way,” Wolford said. “They made some major improvement this year.”
Hurley’s softball lineage dates back to the early-1980s and the Rebels have fielded teams off and on in the years since. After a brief hiatus, Hurley returned to varsity competition in 2023.
“Four years ago, we started it back from scratch,” Wolford said. “We’ve made some headway, but obviously we’re not on Chilhowie’s level. That’s a powerhouse team with a Hall of Fame coach over there and they definitely have it together. We’re just glad we got to compete for the last time.”
Hurley 000 00—0 0 9
Chilhowie (14)50 5x—24 13 0
Dotson, Owens (4) and Hagerman. Dowell, Dancy (3), Sheets (4) and Hester. W – Dowell (14-2). L – Dotson. HR – none.
