'I love everything about Post 100': Hudson set to compete in American Legion World Series

WORCESTER — The magical carpet ride continues for the Cardiac Kids .

Following five straight come-from-behind victories in the Northeast Regional Tournament, including a thrilling 15-9 victory over Rhode Island in Sunday’s finale in New Hampshire, Hudson Post 100 left for Shelby, North Carolina, on Tuesday to continue their storybook summer.

Post 100 will play in the American Legion World Series , which begins Thursday.

“Our team is just so much fun to be a part of,” Hudson third baseman Bobby Long Jr. said. “I love everything about Post 100, and I am happy that I (get) to experience this with this great group of guys and coaches. I am also grateful I (get) to represent my town while playing in all these important games.

“Hudson means so much to me, and I am so proud of this team. Unreal that we are the first team to win districts and regionals. That’s something to be proud of.”

To secure the program’s first trip to the American Legion World Series, Post 100 pulled off the near impossible last week. In each of its games at Gill Stadium in Manchester, Hudson came from behind to take the lead late and keep their summer season alive.

Insert the nickname: The Cardiac Kids .

“I know that not just us, but the parents are enjoying every second of it with having T-shirts already made with that (nickname) on it,” Post 100 shortstop Chase Donahue said.

“It’s kind of funny, after all the games the parents would say we were going to give them heart attacks because most of the games came down to the last inning,” Long, 19, said. “It just goes to show what kind of a group we have. When things get tough, we don’t quit. Our team is fantastic at handling adversity, and we know no matter what situation we are in; we can overcome it.”

With Hudson coaches and players boarding two separate flights Tuesday morning out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Post 100 will have a day off Wednesday to get acclimated in North Carolina before they play against Troy (Alabama) in their first game of the tournament at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Hudson then faces League City (Texas) at 4 p.m. Friday before playing Fargo (North Dakota) at noon Saturday. The World Series includes two groups (or pools) of four teams, with each squad playing each other in the group. The top two teams from each group advance to crossover, single-elimination semifinals before the final takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

All pool games can be seen online on ESPN3. The semifinals and final will be aired on ESPNU.

“Looking forward to spending more time with my teammates and coaches and representing Hudson Post 100 on the biggest stage there is,” Long said. “We are looking forward to having a good time and enjoying each other. We are gonna go and play to have fun and give it our all.”

And will the Cardiac Kids show up again in North Carolina? Only time will tell.

Either way, this summer has been an unforgettable journey for Hudson Post 100.

“The group we have is a coach’s dream,” Hudson manager Ryan Bowen said. “They love to compete, they respect the game of baseball, and they understand that these accomplishments are bigger than just themselves. Each of the players made this team because they’re a good baseball player, but they’ve made it this far because they’re great people who will go on to do even greater things.

“And I mean that, even if they almost gave me half a dozen heart attacks (over) the last two weeks.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'I love everything about Post 100': Hudson set to compete in American Legion World Series