Finish Strong: WG 14, Ft. Zumwalt West 4

“I’ve been workin’ on a rewrite, that’s right, gonna change the ending….”

As we trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the fourth inning against a strong opponent, I was composing my lead and headline, thinking about T.S. Eliot’s “This is how the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper.” But the JV Black Statesmen did their own rewrite and redefinition of the Big Bang Theory, forcing me to do a rewrite as they changed the ending, racing past the Jaguars of Ft. Zumwalt West with an 8-run answer, adding 5 more in the fifth inning and sending our guests hobbling home, reeling with the mercy-rule clincher in the sixth.

Ten games ago, JV Black’s record stood at 7-7. The girls closed their season with a 16-8, mark, winning 9 of their last 10. This was truly another team win and featured contributions from 15 of the 16 players (including three from our Orange squad) dressed for the contest (and that player, Faith Lowry, was ready to go in the circle if needed). 

As Coach Cerutti headed to the bench in the bottom of the fourth he was working on his pep talk. He decided it wasn’t needed. He was right. This team doesn’t quit, not on a game, not on each other. The end-of-season celebration, moved from Serendipity to Fro-Yo, was sweet, joyous, and well deserved. In the next couple days I’ll post a season-ending wrap up, but, for now, enjoy the box score and the memory of this come-from-behind season-ending victory over a good FZW squad.

Go, go, get ‘em…. They went and got ‘em.

Soggy Weather, Crisp Game. WG 7, NW 3

Raindrops kept fallin’ on our heads, they kept fallin’…. Much to our surprise, it was “Game On!” And so the girls played on. As Coach Cerutti described it, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team do a better job of making the weather irrelevant.” When the umpires called the game (official, 4 2/3 innings) because the playing conditions had moved from sloppy to something between unplayable and dangerous, we had tamed the dangerous Northwest Lions, 7-3. 

If you can play “crisp” ball in a swamp, well, that’s what we did. No errors, only two walks by Olivia Leaver (to the last two batters of the game before the Umps called the whole thing off) who notched her fourteenth win as Nic Rikand (2 RBI) prepared to come in. Taylor Smith backed that pitching with some great work at short and Caitlyn Boyle sped past her own (JV) stolen base record, set last year, with three steals to put her at 42 with one game left to play.

It is worth mentioning, I think, as our penultimate game put us at 15-8 for the season, that not that long ago our record stood at 7-7. The girls have done a great job of improving as individuals and as a team. Couldn’t be prouder of them and I will admit they exceeded my expectations. 

No school or practice tomorrow. We close out our season (although some will serve as a “practice squad” to help the varsity prepare for districts) Monday against what we expect to be a very good Ft. Zumwalt West squad. But win, lose, or draw, we will celebrate our success at Serendipity following the game. Apologies (sorry, not sorry) if I spoil their dinner appetites. Oh, and thanks to all those who cheered us on in the rain today. Your support did not go unnoticed.

Arghhh! Sinking the Pirates, 23-0

Teddy Roosevelt counseled speaking softly and carrying a big stick. We’ve been swinging some big sticks lately.

When you look at the season-ending stats at the banquet, remember there were three (3!) games in which we scored 20 runs. Mismatches tend to have inflationary tendencies. There are many fewer of those at the next level, whatever level that may be; that lofty batting average cannot be expected to translate, and our varsity coaches know that. They’re looking for skill sets.

Fortunately, our players have been working hard to develop various skill sets, which are helping them to create some of these mismatches. 

Pattonville was not nearly as bad a team as the score makes it appear. Their first pitcher generally threw stikes, walking very few until her arm started to fall off. But we essentially crushed everything she threw. Our soft hitters placed the ball perfectly (Ally Marshall scored her first extra-base hit as the fielders headed one direction and the ball, well, it in another) and our bigger hitters crushed four (4!) homeruns, including 2 grand slams (Morgan Lawrence hit two, Wreck-It Rekart added her first, and Nic Rikand padded her cushion in the circle). Playing on what was essentially a baseball or slow-pitch softball field with no interior fence was to our batters’ advantage, as any ball past the outfield was a HR threat.

Nic came within a couple outs of a 3-inning no hitter as she dominated in the circle with 4 Ks and no walks to earn her first win to complement her four saves. Our defense made the plays we needed and the Pirates’ coach thought stealing second base down 20-0 was a good strategy. “Oh no,” said Marko. We deliberately ended the last two innings on Code Blue or we might still be batting. (jk, no lights that I noticed.)

We’ll try to tune up our swings tomorrow for a Northwest team that is better than it showed Saturday (not that the Lions played badly, we just played so well it seemed that way). Two more games to close out our season, at home on Thursday and Monday. If you haven’t had a chance to see how much the girls have improved since that first Saturday scrimmage, don’t miss your chance.

Nicola Rikand was our POG for her 1-hitter and Homerun.

Friday took advantage of the Pirate OFs understandably playing deep after Morgan Lawrence's 2 homers, and hustled a short fly ball in front of them into a double.

Despite not taking up slapping until this year, sophomore Ally Marshall sports a batting average around .500.

As a pitcher, Olivia Leaver usually gets a courtesy runner or is the flex, but  scored her first run of the season after a single in the long, long, long second inning.

Not sure about the strategy of stealing down by 20 runs, but we weren't napping. Marko to Ozzie for the quick tag and the second out.

Statesmen Corral Longhorns, 20-2

The last time we faced Parkway West’s leftovers (their program struggles to field a JV team), their end of the bench varsity players, they pitched (and batted) a starting varsity player (although she wasn’t their regular pitcher – no problem with that – she was one of their top hitters); we won 4-3 in the abbreviated game. We weren’t sure what to expect today.

A lineout double play abruptly ended our 3-run first inning and the Longhorns answered with two of their own, despite having their leadoff batter thrown by Marko paired with a quick tag by Taylor (Ozzie) Smith. We ended our second inning with a “Code Blue” (our runner leaves early to cede an out) after a 17-run onslaught featuring walks, errors and hard hit balls as we adjusted to the s-l-o-w pitching. Although Parkway West was the home team (as the game was originally scheduled at their field), they lined up after they failed to score in the bottom of the second, leaving us little to do except shake hands. 

Not much else to say about this game, except our POGs were Morgan Lawrence with two doubles and Jilly Sanders with two well struck balls as she came in for Nic Rikand, who will make her first start in the circle tomorrow against Patonville’s Pirates. Arghhh! Players who did not start today’s game will be in the lineup to start tomorrow. (Note the game is NOT, repeat, NOT, at the high school, but at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Center. Bus leaves at 3 p.m.) Our final two home games are Thursday and Monday against Northwest and Ft. Zumalt West, respectively.

Two bonus pix from the weekend tournament.

Fox Tourney: Close, but no Cigar, Second Place

Apologies for the delay in reporting on the Fox Tournament. Yesterday was a long day plus I feared I had misplaced my scorecards. Fortunately, I found them today (where I thought I had previously looked) and all is well.

We switched over from the Hancock Tournament, which we had won the last five years, to Fox, where we expected better competition, because it’s not just about winning. Parents and fans who drove down to Arnold got their $5 worth, I think, with three exciting, competitive games and a second place trophy.

When you’re playing for plastic in the final game of the day, the experience was worth the effort. We continued our tradition of each player getting at least one full game; in a way I miss the “bat the lineup option” that Hancock’s tourney featured, but this was more traditional softball.

Game 1: Webster 9, Fox 6

We believed that Fox was better than the 20-5 drubbing we handed them a week or so ago, and we were right. Nevertheless, our “speed kills” top of the lineup put up 4 and 3 runs, respectively, in the first two innings. The Warriors came back with 4 of their own in the top of the second, but we answered quickly and the game settled in, staying at 7-4 until the opponents added a pair in the top of the 6^th. We countered with 2 of our own and Nic Rikand closed the door to save Olivia Leaver’s eleventh win of the season.

Game 2: Webster 11, Northwest-CH 1

The Lions of Northwest Cedar Hill prowled over to our field, having defeated Jefferson R-7 to swipe right toward the championship. They will be visiting us again this week as they pay a visit to Plymouth Field on Thursday. Theirs is a competitive program that always presents us with a challenging game. Unfortunately, we tamed them with arguably our best game of the year, featuring strong pitching (Olivia Leaver notched win #12 and Nicola Rikand finished with 2 dominant innings of relief), stellar defense, including two spectacular plays by Taylor (Ozzie) Smith in the hole, a balanced offense featuring hits from every spot in the order and monster shot HR w-a-a-a-y over the fence in left center by Marko, which sealed the deal and put an end to the six-inning contest.

I don’t think Northwest expected us to be that good and left impressed. Maybe some of that intimidation will carry over on Thursday, although maybe they’ll be psyched up and bring their best. The thing is, they did not play badly at all; we just beat them in every aspect of the game on this day.

Game 3: Summit 13, Webster 4

Don’t let the score fool you, this was another close, competitive game that slipped away on some bad luck (and maybe a missed call) in the last inning. In retrospect, perhaps I should have taken visitors when we won the toss. Scoring first is an advantage, and one we experience often with the Boyle-Marshall speed tag team. They struck again in this game, but merely closed a 3-run deficit to one. We might have more but had to settle for two sacrifice flies on good OF plays by the Falcons.

We trailed by only 2 runs, 6-4, as we headed into the seventh inning, with hopes of winning the rubber match of our 3-game series. Nicola Rikand was on fire in relief of Olivia, but a swinging bunt and a questionable call on a close throw at third on a runner trying to advance and the momentum noticeably shifted. By the time the smoke cleared, Summit (who had improved their team with a strong player not available to them earlier in the season due to injury) had added on 7 runs and the game ended quietly. Nevertheless, the coaching staff and the girls had lots to feel good about. We played 20 innings of high energy, quality softball and provided players and fans an fun morning and afternoon. We couldn’t prouder of how our girls are growing as players and a team. Thanks to our traveling cheering section. The girls and coaches really appreciate the support.

We’re heading into the Final Four with a 12-8 record. Monday we have the second (late start and possibly abbreviated) game against the Parkway West “JV” (will include some end of the bench varsity players); we travel Tuesday to Pattonville (not exactly, though – it’s not at the school but the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex. We finish with two home games, Northwest CH again on Thursday and then a challenge from Fort Zumwalt West on Monday the 14^th. Please mark your calendars – we will continue our tradition of celebrating our season at Serendipity after the game (Coach’s treat). One final treat – a few pix from the tourney, courtesy of the players themselves.

Caitlyn Boyle padded her stolen base total with 10 more on Saturday.

Freshman Morgan Lawrence added four to her team lead in RBI.

Sophomore Taylor Smith leads a solid IF defense.

Olivia Leaver picked up her eleventh and twelfth wins, helping herself by fielding her position well in the circle.

Maci Rekart consistently provides solid defense at first base.

Nicola Rikand has been invaluable in closing out games in relief of Olivia. The tandem makes for a solid combination.

Another Unsuccessful Crusade: WG 11, CJ 0

Can you play a good game against a not good team? Yes, you can. You do it by playing your game at your speed and not playing down to their level, which is what we did today against the Crusaders of Cor Jesu. Like most of the battles of the real Crusades, the battles were kind of one-sided and generally the Crusaders didn’t fare so well. Which sort of begs the question of why pick that as your mascot….

In any case, I suggested to the girls that they should put BTO’s “Taking Care of Business” on their warm up playlist. I only suggested the song; Coach Cerutti knew the group. He also gets credit for calling the play that resulted in the defensive highlight, a “strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out” double play to end the second inning and curtail a first-and-third threat with a strong throw from Marko to T. Smith at second.

Strong pitching in the circle from O and Nic. Our biggest struggle was waiting on the s-l-o-w offerings of CJ’s (not Muggs) pitcher. Friday and Morgan (helpfully batting in the 2 & 3 holes) stung the ball all four times, accounting for 7 hits and 7 runs between. Friday was our POG.

I apologize for not getting more pix on the blog. Please check back, maybe tomorrow, for today’s game and yesterday’s, but my energy is slipping away faster than the hours on the clock. So, far now, here’s the box score and the brackets for Saturday’s Fox JV Tournament. Friday will be a short practice, focusing on hitting. Given that weather is turning cooler, it may not mean as much but the girls can wear shorts for practice on Friday.

Declawedl Cats: WG 15, Hazelwood West 0

Two programs going in opposite directions. It wasn’t that long ago that Hazelwood West was a serious competitor, but while we’re adding teams and talent, the declawed Wildcats are struggling to find players at all, much less players with experience. I credit the Feeder League for that.

Here’s the main takeaway from today’s 15-0 win over Hazelwood West. It’s not news to me or Coach Cerutti or Coach Wylie, but it’s something I shared with the girls today, and now with you, the readers. 

Of the many things I like about this team, perhaps what I like best is how they take care of their business, take responsibility for their preparation. They don’t need us to yell at them to get going, or warm up, or take care of their own or the team equipment. They know what they need to do and go about doing it. While we’re talking about a softball team, this is a valuable life skill that these young women are growing.

There really wasn’t much to the game. We probably could have scored our needed 15 runs in the first inning or two, but there was no need so we put on the brakes and the mercy rule wasn’t triggered until 2 outs in the bottom of the third. We hit what could, played solid defense and went home early.

Tomorrow might be something similar as we take on the Crusaders of Cor Jesu over at Affton. We are looking forward to evening up the playing time and ABs (no, spell-check, not abs) of our valuable reserves – which brings up one final point and another thing I really like about the players on this team. They are good, unselfish teammates, willingly giving up time, without complaint, for their teammates when asked, understanding that we are more than a group, we’re a team.

Did I mention how much I like these girls? Yeah, thought so. Check back for pictures.

Surfin' Safari, Riding the Waves to an Easy Win: WG 21, Festus 3

It’s JV Softball and the one thing you know is that you never know. We travelled south to Festus down a player (freshman 3B Morgan Lawrence, who was ill), prepared to try to cage some tough Tigers. 

The safari ended quickly, if not officially, when we put up a 7-spot in the top of the first and Olivia Leaver, with defensive help from Taylor Smith who slid over to third from short, put up a quick zero. We added on each inning, and except for a field goal in the second quarter, I mean inning, clamped down on defense and walked, ran and hit our way to a 21-3 win, as Nicola Rikand threw two hitless innings to close things out. 

With hits up and down the lineup and speed putting pressure on the Tigers’ defense, it was just a matter of time before we decamped back to STL with our eighth win and pushed our record back over the .500 mark.

Hazelwood West comes to visit Tuesday and we head over to Affton Athletic Association to take on Cor Jesu in what we expect to be competitive games before prepping for the Fox JV Tournament next weekend. But the girls get this weekend, a long one because we’re including tomorrow in it, off and resume practice on Monday. Lots of noise and energy today as the girls cheered and supported each other and made Coach Kate’s bus ride a worthwhile trip.

The camera never escaped the backpack today, so the only pic we have is from a warm up game the girls invented (to practice their ABCs) as we waited for the bus.

This game, getting all the way through the alphabet song before the crumpled paper bag hit the ground proved slightly more challenging than our opponents today. See you at the field on Tuesday.

Too Many Mistakes Lead to 5-inning Loss. Marquette 15, Webster 5

You cannot give any team 7 extra outs of chances to advance and expect a positive outcome. And that many freebies to a team from a program as strong as Marquette’s is especially problematical. Of the 15 runs scored by the Mustangs, 11 were unearned. While a misplay on their side also led to a run or two, the game cold have been much closer.

Defense is an ongoing area of emphasis, “taking care of the ball,” and using good judgment on when and where to throw. We saw some progress, not just today but since the beginning of the season, but to this point our defense is somewhat inconsistent. Our pitchers deserved better fates than they suffered today, and we will need more consistent performance if we hope to go on a roll before the end of the season.

We head south, way south, tomorrow, visiting Festus before a long (for us) weekend. The varsity is over in Liberty and Coaches Cerutti and Wylie are accompanying them, so JV Black will get a long weekend with Friday off. Thanks to Karen Smith for the pix, and, oh, by the way, Happy Birthday to Our Gal Friday.

Nicola Rikand quickly changed course and took the out at home in the second inning.

Marko gets the forecourt at home from Nic Rikand in the top of the second.

Morgan Lawrence went 3-for-3 and slides in here with a triple to drive in Bailey Allen for our first run. Morgan later scored on a long sacrifice fly by Emmy Gary.

Maddie Keefer catches another Mustang runner at the plate on a heads up throw from shortstop Taylor Smith.

Credit the Mustangs with the courage call and execute a 2-strike bunt; Morgan showed good judgement by eating the ball.

Happy birthday to an important leader, Taylor Graning (TG[IF]) -- aka Friday. The nickname traces its provenance back to her freshman year, when we had TK and TG -- and you can figure the rest out yourselves.

Taking Care of Business: WG 18, Parkway Central 1

It’s been a few years since Parkway Central has been competitive on the JV level. According to their coach, however, they are starting in the Feeder League, which offers some hope for their future, if they benefit the way our program has.

But, for today, that remains a dream down the road. Today, we dominated a weaker team as we expected to do. I was especially proud of how well we played against a less experience and talented team. Not the score, which was probably about what we expected, but how we played OUR game, at OUR speed, not playing down to the opposition, but still treating them with respect.

We used to start every game with, “Who do we respect? Everyone! Who do we fear? No one!” Not sure why I forgot about that -- #joysofaging perhaps. Nicola Rikand came within a homerun of hitting for the cycle, and with hits from every batter and speed for which the Colts had no answer, the game was never really in doubt.

Marquette will offer a stiffer test at home on Wednesday. Hope to see you at the field.

Olivia Leaver posted her seventh win, gets the final out in the first with a throw to Maci Rekart.

Nicola Rikand starts off her big day at the plate with a booming triple to left center.

Maci Rekart corrals a spinner before it goes foul and makes the tag.

The only well-hit ball by the Colts was held to a double by Jilly Sanders and her strong throw to the cut off.

Marko squeezes on of Olivia's four strikeouts. Marko also added two assists on throws.

Bailey Allen cleanly fields and throws the runner out at first.

Jilly Sanders connects in the fifth inning for her first hit this season, driving in two runs.

Apres Fox, Le Deluge Webster 20, Fox 5

Wait, what happened? Where did THIS team come from. Before the rain deluge there was a run deluge and we triggered the 15-run rule just in time to beat the downpour.

Fox scored three quick runs in the first inning, and based on their success in the Parkway South JV Tournament, I was fearing a short game with a mercy rule loss. Friday blocked their momentum like Jordan Binnington blocked shots in the Cup, taking a hit away from RF with a strong, quick throw to first and we were out of the inning.

I certainly didn’t envision the tables being turned so quickly or decisively, especially being down two starters. But there you go. It’s JV softball and the only thing you know for sure is that you never know for sure.

We countered with 5 runs of our own after only one out, and tacked on 2 more, batting around and forcing numerous Fox misplays and overthrows with aggressive base running. I think our outies saw how important hitting the cutoff can be when you don’t do it (not a critique of our outies, who generally do a good job in that department). 

A lack of experience and then a couple errors of our own handed 2 runs back to the Warriors, but Olivia Leaver (POG) just went back to work and retired the last 5 Fox batters as we continued to pile on with 11 in the bottom of the second and, almost literally, stole 2 more in the bottom of the third as Emmy Gary and Bailey Allen took matters into their own hands stealing on their own (or maybe I accidentally or magically gave signs I was unaware of). And just like that, the umpires threw up their hands to the darkening clouds swooping in from the South, calling the game at 20-5. 

The rains came in fast and hard, but I don’t think the girls minded getting wet. We hit the ball hard, we hit it soft, at and past Fox defenders, we ran aggressively, and looked (today) like the team I hoped we would become. I’m looking forward to seeing that brand of softball for the last half, as we evened our first half record at 6-6. Our second half starts Monday and players who have patiently waited for their opportunities to show what they can do will be in the lineup for our tilt against the Colts of Parkway Central (I-64 and 141, more or less, near St. Luke’s Hospital).

Thanks to Lydia Beggs, who spent the last two years with us but came to cheer us on, for some of the photos. Don’t forget to get your orders in for the photo books. You can give them to me or skip the occasionally forgetful middleman and go straight to Karen Smith.

POG Olivia Leaver picked up her sixth win in the circle.

Emmy Gary laces a ball to the gap for a double. (Ball top right of pic)

Bunt until they show they can deal with it. Nic Rikand drops down, and beats out, a sacrifice bunt in an 11-run 2nd inning.

If it works once, try again. Bailey Allen beats out her sacrifice bunt for a hit as Fox throws the ball all over the place.

Jilly Sanders scored three runs and drove in one on a fielder's choice, earned her "Spirit Animal" (a cat) from Coach Kate.

Morgan Lawrence gets ready to make her trip around the bases under darkening skies.

Morgan's teammates celebrate her "Double + that drove in 2 runs.

Emmy Gary adds her own thunder with her third hit of the day, then scored the penultimate (19th) run.