Kole Dudding overcomes injury adversity, helps lead Randall to Region I-4A semifinals
In his four years of playing baseball for the Randall Raiders, Kole Dudding has never made it this far. In fairness, none of the other current seniors have made it to this point either.
But given what Dudding's had to overcome to get here, it's even more notable.
A broken ankle his freshman year. A lower body injury his junior year. A sprained AC Joint his senior year. There have been numerous obstacles that the Raiders shortstop has had to clear to reach the field, but also the fourth round of the postseason.
Through resiliency and careful planning, Dudding and the Raiders have finally made it happen.
Randall is set to face off with Wichita Falls in a best-of-three Region I-4A semifinal series starting at 2 p.m. Friday at Hoskins Field in Wichita Falls. Game 2 is set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Hodgetown Stadium with Game 3, if needed, will occur 30 minutes after Game 2.
Having previously competed in 5A, this is the first time the Raiders have made it past the third round of the playoffs in the senior class' four years together. If you think they're a little hyped as a result, think again.
“Surprisingly, everyone is feeling really calm right now," Dudding said. "We’re all just calm and collected. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy and we all just have to stay on the same page. We’re all confident throughout the week and are taking the process day by day and week by week to keep this going as long as possible.”
That's especially true for Dudding.
The broken ankle he suffered his freshman year was feared to be season-ending before he managed to comeback before the year was over. His junior year injury came in the playoffs, preventing him from participating in the last few games of the year. This year, he missed a month of district play with a sprained AC joint.
"I’m just very thankful," said Dudding, the 2023 Amarillo Globe-News Preseason Player of the Year. "It’s almost like a stepping stone. I use it to motivate me even more. Just because we’ve had a little success, doesn’t mean that’s it. It’s just one little thing to do that’s not a bigger picture.”
That's an attitude that Randall coach Cory Hamilton says has served Dudding well.
Hamilton believes it's helped Dudding keep ann even-keel approach and overcome the injuries he's had in the past. Hamilton noted in addition to the injury his freshman year not ending his season as initially feared, Dudding was back to summer practice four weeks after the playoff injury last season.
When the sprained AC joint came up this year, Dudding just took the same approach he always does.
“I just tried to keep positive at the beginning," he said. "I didn’t want to know the information on how long I would be out because I knew it probably wouldn’t be good. I tried to stay positive, and when I did get information and found out it wasn’t season ending, I was super proud. I also wanted to know what I could do the next day to get closer to coming back and not having another injury. That’s the way I think.”
Hamilton also noted Dudding has handled those injuries as best he can from a mental perspective.
“Guys that go hard and play hard and run at high level are going to run into injuries," Hamilton said. "Not just right now but for the rest of their careers. What’s been most impressive with him is that there hasn’t been a mentality of feeling sorry for himself or thinking, ‘Poor me.’ It’s just been, ‘Okay, I have to do what I have to do to get back on the field.’ We’re definitely better with him on it.”
While the pitching of Duncan Bowles, Carson Haffner, Payton Bush and others have carried the team, and the offense of Mason Gilbert and Hagen Shedd have been tremendous factors, Dudding is a Division I signee with Oral Roberts University and been a key cog to the team’s recent success. Hamilton credits assistant coaches Steven Coursey, Scott Easton and Brad Propst on helping with the development of Dudding and everyone else.
The future is set, but the Raiders need to put the focus on the present.
That means on Wichita Falls, which has outstanding pitching and defense. But the Raiders have found creative ways to score in the playoffs. And that’s where Dudding’s focus remains — on the current postseason run.
“College can wait," he said. "I’ve still got business to take care of here. My mentality throughout my four years has been, ‘Leave it better than you found it.’ For me I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that, but we’re not done yet.”
RANDALL VS. WICHITA FALLS
What: Region I-4A semifinal series
When: G1, 2 p.m. Friday; G2, 4 p.m. Saturday; G3, if needed, 30 minutes after
Where: Friday at Haskins Field in Wichita Falls; Saturday, HODGETOWN Stadium in Amarillo
Records: Randall 34-2, Wichita Falls 21-14
Live coverage: Follow @Hull_TRN on Twitter for updates on Friday and @hpisani91 for updates on Saturday, with postgame analysis and photos to appear at www.amarillo.com.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Kole Dudding overcomes adversity to help lead Randall to regional semis
