WEXFORD — Shortly before Smethport’s PIAA Class A first-round playoff game against Jefferson-Morgan, the Lady Hubbers made a special delivery to the opposing dugout.

The reason for the visit was Jefferson-Morgan’s Camryn Dugan.

Just over two weeks ago, Dugan, a junior, lost her father Chris after a battle with cancer.

The Smethport girls handed Dugan a card and the two parties exchanged hugs before the game.

It was a kind and touching gesture, one that carried far more importance and meaning than what turned out to be a fantastic game, won by Jefferson-Morgan 2-1.

“That wasn’t my idea,” said Smethport coach Dr. Jim Kane. “Baylee Brien and the other girls got together and got the card signed. That’s the kind of things they do.”

Kane has sung the praises of his team all year. He felt that this group was far better as people than they were softball players. That’s really saying something, considering the way the Lady Hubbers played in 2015.

“They’re just the nicest, sweetest, most caring team you’ll ever come across,” he said. “They’re so supportive of each other.”

And of others, including Dugan and her Jefferson-Morgan teammates.

It’s been tough in so many ways for not only the Dugan family, but the entire Jefferson-Morgan team.

Not only was Chris a father, but he also served as an assistant coach.

Each time they take the field before the game, the girls have broken their huddle with a shout of ‘Team Dugan!’  

Head coach Tony Barbetta, who not only lost a coach but a close friend, was moved by the kindness.

“The players showed a tremendous amount of class bringing a card over for my second baseman, Camryn,” he said. “They knew, I guess through the papers, that I lost my good friend and assistant coach. A lot of teams wouldn’t even think about doing something like that, so I just knew that they were probably good country folk like us. They’re good people and a good bunch of girls.”

As Barbetta alluded to, the two schools are similar in size, residing in small communities set in the country.

And the two teams, quite literally were mirror images of one another on the field, right down to the uniforms.

“It was a good game,” Barbetta said, while adding with a chuckle: “Somebody had to win and somebody had to lose. I’m glad we won. I feel bad for them, but not too bad.”

Truly, however, there was no loser.

There may have been two teams competing against each other on the field, but everyone was on ‘Team Dugan.’

It was a small but significant gesture, one that touched the hearts of everyone in attendance.

“This is the nicest bunch of kids you’ll ever come across,” Kane reiterated. “I’m happy to end the season that way.”