By the time they reached the semifinals Aug. 17, all of the other teams, parents and even the groundskeepers came to watch them play. Even though Londonderry was eliminated after a 6-5 to Lexington, Ky., the players left the complex in Varina, Va., with smiles on their faces.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," catcher Sarah Pierce said. "It was really cool. Everyone was screaming and rooting for us."

The Babe Ruth Softball World Series may not receive the national television coverage of the Little League World Series, but that fact didn't detract from the trip.

"The way the girls conducted themselves," assistant coach Bob Pierce said, "it made it fun for them."

Head coach Steve Kraytenberg said that the players' initial nervousness faded despite having to play more experienced, older teams. Londonderry's pitchers were all 11, including Amanda Szymanski (sister of former Londonderry High standout Alex Szymanski). She went 2-0 with a 1.73 ERA in 171/3 innings pitched. Nicole Williams was the star on offense, hitting .571 in the tournament.

To reach the World Series, Londonderry finished with a 5-0 record in district play, a 4-0 record in the New Hampshire state tournament, and a 6-1 record in the New England tourney, which was held in Salem. In the World Series, Londonderry finished 2-3 in pool play and 2-1 in the elimination bracket.

But in the end, statistics didn't matter much. Neither did wins and losses.

Several of the players were interviewed by local television affiliates in nearby Richmond, Va. And when the players, coaches and parents returned to New Hampshire last week, they boarded a bus at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, and traveled south to Exit 4, where they were met by a police escort. They will be honored at a Red Sox game Sept. 9.

The most memorable prize, however, was the huge third-place trophy they received. With many players on this year's team coming back next season, they're hoping to add another trophy to the collection next season.

World Series results

Pool Play

Lodi, Calif. 7, Londonderry 1

Londonderry 5, Mount Olive, N.J. 3

Londonderry 5, Varina, Va. 1

Heartland, Mo. 4, Londonderry 2

Lexington, Ky. 3, Londonderry 1

Finals

Londonderry 1, Lodi, Calif. 0

Londonderry 2, Mount Olive, N.J. 1

Lexington, Ky. 6, Londonderry 5

Roster: Nicole Williams, Amanda Szymanski, Alexandra Doucette, Sarah Pierce, Jacquelin Taylor, Samantha Nitso, Daniele Crutcher, Rachel Kraytenberg, Kelsey Enright, Lindsay Bolduc, Colleen Clark, Kaitlyn Rimol, Dana Walker, Sara Gaudet

Coaches: Steve Kraytenberg, Bob Pierce, Paul Nits