HUGHESVILLE, Md. — Hughesville Little League’s 8-10 softball All-Star team is headed to the Little League East Region Tournament after capturing both the District 7 and Maryland state championships, marking one of the program’s biggest accomplishments in recent memory.
The team will represent Maryland at the regional tournament in Staten Island, New York, where it will face champions from across the East Region. Before departing, Hughesville Little League asked the community to help support the team’s journey through a GoFundMe campaign. The league also recently hosted a car wash and 50/50 raffle at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge to help raise funds for the trip.
For Hughesville Little League Board President Danielle Lehman, the championship is the result of years of work to strengthen the league’s softball program.
“The softball program at Hughesville has been consistently growing over the past couple of years,” Lehman told The BayNet. “It’s been really an opportunity for these players to grow from T-ball up to the minor division that they’re in now.”
Lehman said the league has focused on expanding participation, bringing in quality coaches, and creating more opportunities for young players to develop. That investment has paid off as the program has steadily grown over the past three to five years.
The success extends beyond wins and losses.
“It’s been really great to see not only their growth on the field, but it’s been really special to see the bond that they have built throughout this season,” Lehman said.
That bond became especially important once the regular season ended. Because the All-Star team combines players from different Hughesville teams, the athletes had to quickly build chemistry before tournament play began.
“They have kind of been starting from scratch and had to build that chemistry in a very short amount of time,” Lehman said. “It’s been really special to see their bond and their friendships growing as well.”
Head coach Jamea Peterson said the players embraced that challenge from the beginning.
“This team is unique because they, together as a whole, were determined and believed in each other that they could compete and do everything they set out to do, and they did it,” Peterson said.
After winning the District 7 championship against other Southern Maryland Little League programs, Hughesville advanced to the Maryland state tournament, where it defeated district champions from across the state. The team opened the tournament with a 1-0 victory over defending state champion South County before continuing its run to the title.
Peterson said one of the team’s defining characteristics has been its resilience.
“What makes this team so special, honestly, is the grit,” Peterson said. “They never gave up.”
Rather than relying on one standout player, Peterson credited every member of the roster for contributing throughout the postseason.
“From all 12 players on that team, there was a moment that they all contributed that allowed us to win district and states,” Peterson said.
Whether it was a timely defensive play, a key hit or the energy coming from the dugout, Peterson said every player helped shape the championship run.
“I would say we had one of the loudest dugouts,” she said. “The cheering, each other on, and the hype and the vibe — they all contributed with having strong energy and strong dugout love for each other.”
Now the team prepares for its biggest challenge yet as it travels to Staten Island to face champions from 12 Eastern states.
Peterson said she hopes the players approach the tournament with the same confidence and teamwork that carried them through districts and states.
“I hope that they realize that they have accomplished something amazing at their age and at this level of ball,” Peterson said. “They continue to support each other and keep that grit because it’s going to be tough teams out there.”
Regardless of the results, Peterson hopes the experience leaves a lasting impression on the players.
“I hope they look back and remember some amazing softball, that they had a blast doing it, made wonderful friends and great memories,” she said.
Lehman said the accomplishment is something the entire Hughesville community can celebrate, noting it has been several years since the league last won a state championship and even longer since a Hughesville softball team claimed a state title.
Community members can still support the team by donating through the league’s GoFundMe campaign as Hughesville prepares to represent Maryland at the Little League East Region Tournament. The league thanked everyone who attended and supported the recent car wash and 50/50 raffle, which helped the team prepare for its trip.
All photos credited: Amanda Portillo.
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