Walk Off Winner: Webster 8, Kirkwood 7 (8 innings)

I.Love.This.Team!

Yes, still, even if they just added to my obviously folliculated-challenged status.

Because after an exciting walk-off win against KIRKWOOD!, what were they saying? That this was a team win, that everyone on the team was a part, an IMPORTANT PART, of this victory. Sorry if I’m shouting, but I’m still excited, even after a Pueblo Solis therapy session.

Finally, a real game! This would have been a heart-breaker to lose, but most of us know that you can, eventually, get over a broken heart. (Or so I’ve heard; I’ve been lucky enough not to have experienced that first-hand.) But how much better not to have to, to celebrate, as the girls are right now with a camp-out (See above and thanks to the Collins family for hosting--Yes, all 14 of them!), getting even closer (is that even possible?!?) as a team. The umpire asked Coach Cerutti, “Are they always this loud?” “That’s our team,” said Coach. Yep.

Darn those Pioneers! This well-coached team (we get to play them again later in the season) refused to quit, came back to not only tie, but take the lead – twice! But guess who else refused to quit – the Statesmen! Even after K-wood scored in the top of the 8^th to go up 7-6, our team willed itself to a victory.

Megan Hayes worked lead-off walk in a great AB. And with the bases loaded, Nicola Rikand UNloaded for a walk-off double and an 8-7 victory. Much more exciting and rewarding than our first five wins. The girls agreed, that, win or lose (and winning is better, of course) that this is the kind of softball game we want every time.

And here’s the thing. We can get better. We played far from a perfect game, far from our best softball. After Hannah Jansen took the air out of the Pioneer’s Conestoga tires (well, technically Conestoga’s didn’t really have tires) in a spectacular third inning display, we started making mistakes. In fact, up until the final inning, Kirkwood, quite frankly, outplayed us, making fewer mistakes than we did. But they couldn’t outheart us, and that proved to be the difference.

Kelly Collins, in relief of Taylor Knapp and Nicola Rikand, each of who recorded pressure outs, (and herself), picked up her well-deserved third win in the circle. The Kirkwood coach kept thinking, “What, another pitcher?” We used, and needed, all three. I close with this final obscure reference. We followed Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Rule #1: Don’t Panic!

That’s a winner, 6-0. More tough games to come and, as Coach Cerutti noted in the post-game, now we know what we need to work on. Given the fire and work ethic of this group of great young women, you can expect to come out and enjoy even more and better softball in the games to come. And check back for pictures. You’ll forgive me if I was a little too wrapped up in coaching the game to take my camera off the fence, and our players were too excited to do any snapping either.

Just.Wow!

And the Beat(ing) Goes On: Webster 15, Parkway Central 0

I.Love.This.Team!

It’s not the obvious skill level, which is exceptional and deep. No, it’s all about the attitude, the unselfishness, the team bond, the energy, the joy, the commitment to playing the game the right way…. Sophomores leading the way, freshmen following that great example.

Take this game, yet another mismatch that was pretty much over after scoring 10 in the first inning. Our defense backed Nicola Rikand’s first pitching start and victory; she allowed one hit and one walk in her three innings in the circle. Despite the fact that not a single ball came even close to the outfield, all three outfielders were on the move after EVERY PITCH, backing up throws, ground balls. That’s not the just the sign of a good team, that’s the sign of a team that appreciates the game.

Earning our fifth victory (and the respect of the Colts pitching staff and umpires) was great, but every player playing the game the right way guarantees that this will be a successful season, and not just in terms of wins and losses. We’re looking forward to a challenging conference game against Kirkwood’s Pioneers at home tomorrow. Come join us.

Working at Winning With Class: Webster 24, Parkway North 0

Still waiting for a true test. Parkway North might have been the weakest opponent yet, but our girls did a great job of “winning with class.” They kept their energy up despite the obvious mismatch (The Vikings recorded 6 outs against us, 3 of which came from “leaving early,” to which we called the umpire’s attention; a 4^th came from a bases loaded bunt). It was a challenge to even give outs without deliberately striking out, something I’d never ask a girl to do. In any case, our cumulative score for 4 games: 12.5 innings, 76-1.

Looking forward to a good practice tomorrow and more competitive games on Wednesday (away against Parkway Central) and Thursday (home against Kirkwood). The latter we fully expect to give us a true challenge. Parkway Central is kind of a “You never know.” It’s ranged from blowouts (our way) to a 3-2 loss just a few years ago. One thing we do know is that our girls will give a spirited performance and their best effort.

No practices on Friday or Monday, but we’ll work hard next Tuesday to get ready for Francis Howell Central (Wednesday) and Hazelwood West (Thursday), then another prep day (short but intense) getting ready for the challenging Fort Zumwalt Tournament. Every team member is guaranteed one start in every tournament. If your weekend schedule makes one game more accessible to parents and/or grandparents (I’m kind of sensitive to the grandparent thing, not that it has much chance of ever being an issue for me in an athletic competition), please let me know and I will try to accommodate. Also, I had more (good) pictures, but hotel internet is dreadfully slow. Check back tomorrow night to see if I was able to add some to this batch.

Arrgghh! Another Laugher -- Statesmen 21, (Pattonville) Pirates 1

Okay, so we’re still waiting for that first test. The cannonade from Statesmen bats sank the Pirate corsair before it even launched with a 13-run first inning. I’m guessing the field umpire was, uh, less than experienced because we tried to end the carnage by having our runner leave early (and calling it to the umpire’s attention – “Blue, watch her.”).  On three successive pitches our runner was almost halfway home by the time the ball left the pitcher’s hand – no call. To his credit, young blue showed a willingness to learn by asking me, as I headed to the dugout, “What was I watching for?” Sigh.

In any case, we put the brakes on early but kept hammering the lumber (every starter had at least two hits). But here’s what I just loved about the victory and what it says about this team. First, the team cheered not just each other throughout the game (an enthusiasm not dependent on the score but on their support for their teammates) but applauded good plays by the other team. They didn’t insult Pattonville by lowering their standard of play; even when the score was a boatload to nothing, there were the Statesmen players, backing up plays, hitting cuts, moving without the ball. Check out the last picture below to see the penultimate play of the game, with every player moving and working.

That is team pride. Our team has it and we coaches have it for our players. What a great group, fun to watch, easy to root for (as they do for each other). We play at home after the varsity game against Parkway North on Monday; we’re hopeful we get to play a full game, but time and light may not be on our side. Root for the varsity to win quickly. Wednesday we’re away at Parkway Central before our first “real” home game against K-wood on Thursday. That one we know will be competitive.

Mark Up Another: Webster 15, Nerinx 0

Early season games are a chance to find ourselves, to learn what we can do individually and as a team. So far there’s been a lot to like, although it’s important to note that we have yet to face significant competition. That may change tomorrow when we travel north to Pattonville to face the Pirates in our conference opener.

Nevertheless, we played another solid defensive game, used our speed with heady baserunning to supplement our hitting, and featured strong pitching as Taylor Knapp picked up her first JV win over our neighbors from Nerinx Hall. Nicola Rikand also made her debut in the circle and dominated the Markers.

But what is pleasing the coaches more than the easy wins or even good pitching and play is the energy emanating from the bench, the camaraderie of the team as they add to their cohesiveness to grow as a team. They continue to work hard to improve individually and collectively, enjoying the great game of softball while they grow as players. They are a joy to watch and coach, from pregame to postgame, we are having fun! Looking forward to having more as the season progresses.