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.

The Fort Zumwalt Tournament This Weekend

The upcoming Ft. Zumwalt West Tournament this weekend will be a challenge, three games, the first at 8 a.m., the second at 10 a.m., and the third at noon. 

Here’s the way I’ve always worked tournaments. Every player is guaranteed at least one full game (she might be the DP one game and the Flex in another game, but it will still be one full game on offense and defense). We’ve managed a fair amount of success with this approach in the past, but, win or lose, parents and fans will get to see their player in action.

The brackets and times are below. We will have water, sports drinks and snacks for the players. The bus leaves at 6:30 a.m. in front of Roberts Gym. I’d say 6:30 a.m. sharp, but the busses are not always sharp themselves. Nevertheless, players shouldn’t count on that. “Leave no (late) player behind” has never been my slogan and a player who misses the bus (or boat) will not be the first. I’m hoping, however, that I’ve already left without my last.

See you at the field(s)!

FZW Tourney: Third Place

If you were expecting this earlier, I apologize. I needed a nap. #joysofaging Of course it was more than that. What a day!

Game 1: Webster 21, Timberland 5

The cool morning didn’t put a chill on the JV-Black’s enthusiasm – or their bats as we faced a Timberland team that had only lost one game coming into this tournament. In last year’s contest against the Wolves we threw a 12-spot on the board in the first inning, effectively ending the contest. So, unlike the 2017 tournament, Timberland wasn’t as stunned by the six runs we put up, highlighted by Marko’s first of two triples. They answered with two runs of their own, but were shut down by a DP on a nice play by Nicola Rikand, who had to have set some kind of record by notching 3 outs AND an assist in that inning.

Seven runs went up on the scoreboard in the second as Taylor Smith joined in the “Triple Your Fun” promotion that we were apparently running. To Timberland’s credit, they didn’t give up and added three of their own tallies. However the synchronicity of 8 runs in the third subdued the Wolves and they whimpered quietly in their dens as the game came to an end and our winning streak stretched to 9.

Game 2: Francis Howell Central 12, Webster 0

All good things must come to an end and Francis Howell Central sent a wake-up call. The eventual winners of the tournament are a very strong team and I probably made a strategic error in choosing “Home” when we won the toss (well, technically, they lost the toss and I got to pick). I strongly, if briefly, considered batting first and, hopefully, grabbing the momentum. I went with conventional wisdom, though, and FHC started strong with 2 runs. Their good pitcher wiggled out of 2-on, 2-out jam and we never really gained traction after that, managing only two more hits and whiffing 8 times in the four innings.

When they added 3 more runs in the third and we were generating nothing in the way of offense, I pulled TK to save some pitches for the final game and to give the Spartans a different look. Despite our throwing strikes, their offense was on a roll (we know how that goes) and didn’t slow down; the game ended on a time-limit ruling with Webster’s winning streak and hope for a championship rematch with Fort Zumwalt West dashed.

Game 3: Webster 17, Ft. Zumwalt West 14

It may have been a Saturday afternoon, but despite the score this was not a football game. Both teams had on their hitting shoes and ball was flying. So was our CF, Alyssa (Venus Flytrap) Moran, who recorded 5 putouts, including 3 spectacular ones (see pic below).

In our post-mortem of the previous game, after our first loss and definitely our most poorly played contest (taking nothing away from FHC – I think we can give them a better game, but if we played them 10 times, I think they’d probably win most of them), we talked about the character of a team being defined by how it responds to adversity, how it bounces back.

If you weren’t sure of the character of this team, this game put it on a 3-story mural for all to see. And we did it against the team we had hoped to play in a rematch of the 2017 championship game, the team that ended our winning streak last year in the final of this same tournament, Fort Zumwalt West. Both their coach and I were happy to have a rematch, based on last year’s great contest, just not in the third place game!

We jumped out to a 6-run lead in our first AB, but the Jaguars responded with 5 of their own, and countered our two in the second (HR by Marko! – no courtesy runner needed, but thanks to JV-Orange’s Maci Rekart for spending the day with us and serving in that important role) with two of their own. We traded scoreless third innings with no real threats by either side and we added a run in the fourth on Alyssa Moran’s second triple and great base running dash home on a short passed ball.

But the Jags put up 4 in the fifth and 2 more in the sixth and despite the sunshine (finally!) things looked dark for the Statesmen as we headed into the seventh down by 4 runs.

Character? Believe it, the same way these girls believe in themselves. Taylor Graning, with her second double of the day, chased home Nicola and Maci to put us within 2 and advanced to third on the throw. Caitlyn Boyle did her thing to put herself on first (and then second with a stolen base) and bring in Friday (on Saturday. #sorrynotsorry). Taylor Smith sewed up the tie with a base hit and we headed into the bottom of the seventh all even.

Pitcher Taylor Knapp bowed her back and put the heart of the Jaguars’ order down 1-2-3, setting the stage for another 4-run inning. FZW answered with a long bomb and two more hits to start the eighth, but a well played bunt by Lydia Beggs and 2 Ks from TK ended a great game with an exclamation point and a third place trophy.

I could not be more proud of this team. They could have quit but just refused to do. That’s an attribute that goes well beyond softball, as is their support for each other. The next winning streak has started and I’m looking forward to this week to see how far it can run. We travel to Hazelwood West on Tuesday, we play after the varsity at Affton Athletic on Wednesday (full game, they have lights, just not quite enough players) and then host Kirkwood on Friday. I hope you’ll be able to find the time to join us and cheer on this great group of girls.

We have a few pics from today, but check back later either tomorrow or Monday evening because I hope to add some more. Captions will also be included , but this first pairing deserves special treatment, as you see Venus (Flytrap) Moran’s amazing catch and her teammates’ reaction to it! (Photo Credit Karen Smith)

Did You Get Your $2 Worth? WG 18, Fox 0

I hope the fans who forked over the $2 for admission to watch our softball game today (if you think their facilities are nice, you should see their superintendent’s office – what, too soon?) felt like they got their money’s worth. Personally, schools ought to pay people to watch JV sports, not the other way around. Both umpires took the time to compliment our players, both for their skills and approach to the game.

I’m not sure why it (also) irks me that the Fox coach, for the past two seasons, seems to think we shouldn’t be thumping them as we have. Or maybe he’s just annoyed at his own team. In either case, facts are facts. The game against the Warriors went from a scoreless tie after one inning to over before Fox batted in the second. Taylor Knapp recorded her second career no-hitter despite their coach trying slip in a “greasy ball” to the point the umpire finally admonished him to quit (this one lasted four innings), the bats came alive, the batting eyes were sharp, well, you get the picture.

Actually, the pictures are below as we moved to 6-0 (so no reason for me to be cranky) and the girls have well-earned a day off (optional – short BP for those who are so inclined) ahead of our Monday home contest against Parkway Central. We’ll have an intense practice Tuesday prepping for an expected tough match at the field of the JV of defending state champion Marquette on Wednesday. That, plus Thursday’s Festus contest, should prepare us for the FZW Tournament (rescheduled) next weekend.

Speaking of rescheduled, if you haven’t added the postponed Lindbergh and Kirkwood games to your calendar, pencil them in on October 3 and 9, respectively. Oh, and the girls are developing some serious photo skills.The first five pix are courtesy of Andrew Graning, but the rest are JV Black; their lens work was as hot as their bats!

Ivy Clark slides home on a passed ball/wild pitch.

Marko showed some pop with her bat, contributing a triple and single to the onslaught.

Sarah Sammon took the last inning, recording all three outs on Ks.

Nora Marcinkiewicz establishes rapport with the umpires and helps her pitcher adjust to sometimes seemingly floating strike zones. Lots of props from the Blues (not the hockey team, despite the color of her gear).

This is how you get a lead. (Alyssa Moran) 

And the result of this attempted steal..... (Wait for it....)

Safe at second with her third stolen base of the year. (Nice slide, too)

TK was dominant in the circle, notching her second career No-No.

Caitlyn (Speed Racer) Boyle worked on her bunting/slapping technique to great effect.

Meanwhile, over in the Fox dugout, the Warrior coach whined, "She was safe? How could he miss that call?" Ummm, he clearly didn't. [Sorry, Coach Kate]

Taylor (Friday) Graning slides home safely after a good read.

The swing of Ivy Clark that cleared the bases with a 3-RBI double.

Pitchers apparently should never be glad a ball-strike call went their way when Myah's at the plate. A line drive to follow  is a safe a bet as, well, its' a safe bet. Just sayin'....

Nicola Rikand played a solid SS as the next two pix demonstrate.

Just your routine 6-4 force out as Friday takes the throw from Nic.

Friday was there, but why throw when you don't have to. Also, of note, while the score was 12-0 at this point, check out the movement of our LF, Myah King. Our Outies have been OUTstanding all year in moving on every pitch, every play.

And a No-No deserves two pix, don't you think? TK picks up her (and our) sixth win.