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.

"So Ugly It Could Sit on a Tombstone and Hatch Ghosts" Webster 10, Seckman 7

“The worst JV game I’ve seen in two years,” said the Webster coach. I’m not sure that’s really an exaggeration, but the best thing about yesterday’s 10-7 win over the Seckman Jaguars C-Team was that it was played on a satellite fields and the Statesmen fans who made the trek and braved the heat were not charged $2 admission. Even the field goal we won by bounced in off the crossbar.

The game was so ugly that there are no pictures. It reminded me of an old Moms Mabley punchline: “So ugly [it] could sit on a tombstone and hatch ghosts.” Of our 27 outs, we gave up 8 on called third strikes. Our 9 errors only exceeded that number by 1. Our pitchers deserved better, but also deserve credit for not letting our sloppy play distract them from their mission. They allowed only 1 walk, and half the hits credited to Seckman came from pop ups that should have been caught.

However, we stopped flailing and bailing long enough to right the ship and limp safely into harbor with our fifth victory of the year. (POG –>Freshman Bailey Allen) Heading into our Friday home contest against the Fox Warriors, we stand at 5-6. 

We will need to play more like we did against Summit or being late to the home football game for the band activities won’t be a problem. Monday will be a designated “non-starter start” game against the Colts of Parkway Central. 

Perhaps I’ll see some of you when the WGHS Jazz Band performs Saturday at the Jazz Fest.

Great Game, But On the Wrong Side of a 4-3 Score vs. Summit

“The best JV game I’ve seen in two years,” said the home plate umpire after the game. Softball is a game of inches and we were a bit unlucky and a couple inches (well, maybe feet) away from walking it off in the bottom of the seventh.

Lots of good defensive plays (unfortunately, sort of, by both teams), few walks led to a crisply played game that Rockwood Summit won, 4-3. We may get the series tiebreaker if we face them in the Fox JV Tournament at the end of the year.

Highlight performances included three scoreless innings in the circle by POG Nic Rikand, a caught stealing by Marko, who also made a good tag at the plate on a strong throw by Emmy Gary, and a nifty 6-3-5 double play from Taylor Smith, Maci Rekart and Morgan Lawrence. We struggled against a pretty good pitcher, perhaps a bit overanxious early, then a bit timid later. Balls that were hit hard saw good plays by their center and left fielders. Even so, the tying and winning runs were in scoring position when the game ended on Morgan Lawrence’s smash at the second baseman.

So it goes, sometimes. Our record stands at 4-6 as we head down to Seckman tomorrow. If you’re going to follow us, be reminded that there will be a $2 entrance fee, although today’s game would have been worth that admission price. Not too many pictures today (but thanks, Karen Smith) because the game was too exciting to view through a camera lens! 

Speaking of pictures, don’t forget to order your photo book if you haven’t already.

Olivia Leaver fields her position to get the first out in the 4th inning.

Emmy Gary fires a strike to Nora (Marko) Marcinkiewicz to end the 4th inning.

Happy Birthday, Morgan. Cupcakes! We not only have good players, but good people and teammates. #teambonding

Ft. Zumwalt West Tourney Recap

 Apologies for the tardiness of this entry. About midway through yesterday’s tournament, Coach Cerutti noted, “I can tell I’m older this year.” Were I young and hip (which, actually, I never was; well, I guess I was young once) I would have replied, “Word,” or “Truth,” or whatever happens to be the young hip expression du jour. Because there were numerous players within earshot I also didn’t respond, “No – uh – kidding.” I just said, “Me, too.” But better late than never (also not a young, hip, phrase, but at least an expression that’s actually older than we are).

To be honest, looking at the bracket for our third trip to the Ft. Zumwalt West JV Tournament at Ozzie Smith Sports Complex in O’Fallon, I might have predicted a 1-2 outcome. The day ended with that outcome but left me feeling a little disappointed. Not in the girls, but I just felt we had a real opportunity to walk away with the Consolation Championship Plaque and, as we entered the final game against St. Dominic, was hopeful, almost confident, that we could walk away a winner. And we came close.

Don’t misunderstand, there were lots of positives to come out of this tournament. We fell behind in each game, but battled back in each game to either tie or take the lead. We hung on in the middle game against Summit, when their coach (prematurely) pulled her starting pitcher (and catcher) and we rallied with 7 runs, added on 2 more after she re-entered her starters, and held on for a 9-6 victory. I don’t expect her to repeat that strategy when we face Summit again on Tuesday.

We played 20 of the 21 innings possible, which, on the JV level with an hour and a half time limit, is kind of remarkable and a testament to our pitchers not walking lots of girls or getting into many deep counts. 

With injuries, illness, and absences we were a little short-handed, although we’re kind of used to that; we played almost all last season with 11 players, and occasionally just 10. The girls just bowed their necks and went to work, not giving less than their best until the last out closed out the day. This is a fine group of young women and it’s a pleasure to work with them.

We had a large parent contingent out to cheer their players, and that’s always welcome. The umpiring was, um, a little uneven but I appreciated our girls and fans for living up to our high expectations for sportsmanship.

So here are the box scores and some pictures the kids took during the day.

 

First baseman Emmy Gary keeps her composure to corral a loose ball and get the out at 1.

Coaching girls is different. Just sayin'....

Pitcher Olivia Leaver gets the easy out at first.

Getting ready to fight for the Consolation Championship v. St. Dominic

Players, please note. The Summit runner is getting a TERRIBLE jump!

BaileyAllen rounds third, heading for home on Morgan Lawrence's triple.

Maddie K had a double in each game. Here she becomes better acquainted with second base as Summit changes pitchers.

Coach Cerutti and Caitlyn Boyle

Should make someone's cover photo for some social media platform, don't you think?

Freshman Bailey Allen  signals 2 outs to her teammates.

Pioneers Axe the Statesmen, 13-5

We knew going in that this might be a tough contest. We had seen enough of Kirkwood this summer – and the past several years – to know that they had talent and coaching, a growing program that has closely paralleled our own. Add to that the long-standing (friendly, characterized by respect and sportsmanship) rivalry, well, it was going to be a big day.

Except for one bad (terrible, horrible, no good very bad) inning, we played even with that strong Kirkwood team. However, those were mistakes of execution, not preparation, not attitude, and they didn’t diminish our approach to the rest of the game. Olivia Leaver kept her cool on a hot day, just taking the ball and firing strikes. Another game with no walks from her. Nic Rikand finished out the last two innings with a solid effort in the circle, as well.

Maddie Keefer put us ahead, briefly with a bases clearing double and a 5-2 lead. She also was robbed twice by the left fielder. Caitlyn Boyd (POG) defied the Pioneers to throw her out and they couldn’t, not at first, not at second, not at third. Only a great diving catch by the Kirkwood backstop deprived her of a perfect day. 

I don’t know how many games we will win this weekend, next week, this year. But given what we saw today, I’m optimistic that we’ll see improvement game after game, week after week, and I’m looking forward to seeing that happen.

Marko sets up to receive one of the many strikes thrown by....

One of my favorite moments in every game is when the IF gathers around their pitcher.

Nikola Rikand finished out the game with a strong two inning performance.

Bailey Allen forces the Pioneer runner back to second, backing up the throw back to the pitcher.

Caitlyn Boyle not only sparked the offense with 2 hits and 2 runs, but added a catch in RF.