Pioneers at a Loss. Webster 7, Kirkwood 0

If the Pioneers of Kirkwood thought we had gained a lucky win in our last meeting, they might be rethinking.

After our last game, in our post-game autopsy, I told the girls that even though we had won, “The good news is, we can play better.” Today we showed that. Coach Cerutti echoed the thoughts of the coaching staff when he told the girls, “This didn’t look like a JV team.” We looked like a good softball team, one that knows how to play the game and does it the right way.

Adding to the perpetual pleasure of defeating the red and white of the ‘Wood was that it happened on “Sophomore Day,” when the freshmen took time out to honor (and generate hugs and more than a few tears from) the leadership corps that has helped make this such a special team, a true team in every sense of the word. We have 14 softball players, and they proved it today, with support for each other and a love for the game. And now, yes, really truly, we did set the Webster record for JV victories, notching #17 (eclipsing last year’s 16-win season) behind Kelly Collins’s shutout, 5 RBI from Nicola Rikand and Hannah Jansen, and some great defense, especially the Right Side Leatherettes of Megan Hayes, Maya Litton and Jessica Peterson.

When people asked me how we were going to be this year, my standard response was, “Remember how good we were last year? I think we’re going to be better.” Thankfully, the girls proved me right. We plan to keep the winning streak going tomorrow as we take on the Huskies of Ritenour for the conference title. That game will give us a chance to show off our depth once again, building out experience levels for the weekend tournament.

We finish up our season next Tuesday with ice cream at Serendipity after the game. Sweet finish to a sweet season.

Okay, I wasn’t going to add more pix because it’s late and I’m working tomorrow and I still haven’t printed out the lineup, but I went through them and just couldn’t let them not see blog-life. Pay particular attention, if you would, to the 5-picture sequence on a sacrifice bunt -- so many things being done right, including back-up coverage by JP. So many things to smile about and I’m still sitting on another 100 + shots.