Big Steps Forward, Ignore the Score. Eureka 12, Webster 1

We have already lost as many games this season as we did each of the last two. But the coaching staff is much happier this evening, following our 12-1 loss to an excellent Eureka team. With all due respect to the excellent Oakville team we saw yesterday, I’d bet that this Eureka team would beat them most of the time. The Wildcats probably could have made the score even more lopsided, but demonstrated the class consistent with their reputation and refused to take advantage of an outgunned opponent. (No implied criticism of Oakville, btw; I respect their coaching staff, as well.)

But the Statesmen worked hard and I’m certain learned from this experience, lessons that will serve us well as we grow throughout the season. Softball is a game of inches, and I can think of four balls that, given an inch or three, could have easily ended up in gloves.

Whatever the girls said in the Players Only meeting after yesterday’s game clearly had impact, and I truly respect the leadership that is growing in their roles, as well. This is a long season, one that has just started, and if we continue to progress in skill and approach, I think all of us will look back on the season as a success.

Olivia Leaver showed tremendous mental toughness in the circle, not walking a batter and battling back from some 3-ball counts. Neither errors nor rockets seemed to phase her and she kept her composure throughout. Nic Rikand’s stiff shoulder kept O in the circle a little longer than we would have preferred, but she soldiered on. Freshman Morgan Lawrence flashed leather on the left side at both short and third and Emmy Gary was a rock at 1^st. Maddie Keefer notched our first “caught stealing” and girls worked and cheered hard throughout the game.

Progress often comes in small steps and can’t always be measured by statistics. The losses might look similar on the scoreboard, but the girls unanimously agreed that today’s game was lots more fun.

Doing a little “catch-up,” we have instituted a (purely subjective) “Player of the Game” Award, a stretchy bracelet given to each game’s “winner.” (All our girls are winners.) Morgan Lawrence inaugurated the award for her game against Lindbergh; Nic Rikand took the honors after the Oakville game, and Taylor (Friday) Graning is the current bearer. Hope to see you at tomorrow’s 12:30 (or thereabouts – we follow the varsity, so the time must remain flexible, maybe earlier, maybe [but I hope not, for personal reasons] later) contest against Poplar Bluff, where you can play along trying to predict who will wear the award until our next game (players can earn the honor more than once). 

"Speed Racer" Boyle gets ready to work her slap/bunt magic, drew two walks, stole two bases.

Olivia Leaver pitched a complete game for the Statesmen; Morgan Lawrence, busy in the field, gets ready for a play.

Catcher Maddie Keefer took two good ABs, drew a walk and (via courtesy runner Jilly Sanders) scored the lone run.

CF Ally Marshall continues to develop as a slap hitter, getting one hit and driving in the lone Statesmen run.

Freshman Bailey Allen brings a lot of energy to her play, subbing in at 2B due to an injury.

Taylor Graning will play multiple positions this year because of her good glove. Today she was in right.

When not behind the plate, Marko mans the OF, and makes a catch in left in the second inning.

Nicola Rikand manned the shortstop position today; she'll also pitch and play OF.

Sophomore Ally Marshall gets ready to return the ball after making a catch in CF.