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When the going became arduous and the odds against success appeared long, some members of the Virginia Attack baseball team could have made a curious claim.

"I'm going to Disney World."

So it was for five players on the under-15 Division I AAU team who competed in last week's national tournament in Salem, two of which are from the New River Valley. It's not like you think, though.

Instead of bowing out and going on vacation, these guys reflected on past experiences as small-towners playing on a national stage. Travis Hudson of Christiansburg was part of a squad that won the 2004 AAU National Classic title at the famed resort complex in Orlando, Fla.

"That experience was huge for us last week," said Hudson, a rising sophomore at Christiansburg High School. "When we were 12, we played some big teams with big players who were very good. It was intimidating. We'd never seen players like that before."

This time, once it became clear that the other guys were allotted three outs per innings and three strikes per at bat just like everybody else, the Virginia boys settled down and played their way all the way into the title game before losing to Arsenal Blue, a squad that had players from multiple states in the mid-Atlantic region.

Knowing what it takes to win at that level was invaluable.

"That first tournament taught us to keep our heads up and keep playing," Hudson said.

That shared memory belonged to Hudson, Blacksburg's Karl Sorenson and Salem's Alex Stepp, Seth Fisher and Zach Harth. The experience helped keep spirits up when this year's team lost its first three pool games at Kiwanis Field last week.

After the teams were seeded through pool play, the Attack won its first two games, beating Indiana and the North Shore Royals from Long Island, N.Y. A loss to the Virginia Patriots landed the Attack in the loser's bracket.

There, the locals whipped the Bloomington Blue Jays 10-1. That squad had topped the Attack the previous time they'd met, which was in pool play. From that platform was launched the final push to the championship tilt, repeat victories over North Shore and the Patriots en route.

Arsenal Blue was too much for a worn-out Attack pitching staff in the championship.

"Best team of players my age I've ever seen," Travis Hudson said. "They were so stacked. Every one of them could hit it over the fence and play great defense."

Just being on the same field with such a powerhouse said something for the Attack's players, in view of their coach.

"A local team playing against this level of talent and ending up as national runner-up is just amazing," said the Attack's Jim Stepp, also the Salem High School coach.

The Attack had 18 players, four of whom were from the New River Valley. Along with Hudson and Sorenson (who will attend Salem High this fall), the team also included Seth Martin of Christiansburg and Dylan Raymond of Giles County. Martin is a rising junior at Christiansburg, and Raymond will be a freshman at Giles High.

Assistant coaches included Travis Hudson's father, Pete, and Raymond's father, Bobby.

All the New River Valley boys are versatile in a variety of ways. Raymond, for example, plays short, third, pitches and switch hits. He had a save and hit .333 for the tournament.

"He hits way beyond his age," Pete Hudson said. "He'll be one to watch."

Martin, a left-hander, played all seven games and had two pitching wins, one a complete-game one-hitter that included nine strikeouts. He also played first base and right field in addition to being a designated hitter. His week's work: a .450 batting average. Along with Hudson, he made the all tournament team.

"He's the old man of the team," Hudson said. "He's quiet, mannerly, keeps his emotions in check on the field. And I tell you, that kid can hit."

Martin also had plenty of experience against top-level opposition. For example, he was part of the Roanoke Renegades team that played in a big USSSA tournament in Tennessee last year.

"I've seen plenty of great competition," he said. "It makes you better and it gets you ready for whatever comes next."

Sorenson is a workhorse catcher who toiled five of the seven games behind the plate in very hot weather. He hit .300. His versatility extends to other endeavors, especially academics, in which he excels.

"If you had a nickname for him, it would be 'The Professor,' " Pete Hudson said. "He's such a smart baseball player."

Travis Hudson is perhaps the most athletically well-rounded of the group. This spring, he played varsity baseball as well as sprinted and jumped for the track team.

"Right after baseball practice, I'd go over to track practice," he said. Hudson played short, center field and pitched for the Attack. He had one win on the mound and hit .333.

After that kind of success, it would have been nice for him to be able to turn to the cameras and say, "I'm going to Disney World."

Alas, he'll just be going to football practice. That starts next week.