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.

Walk Off Winner! Webster 8, Eureka 7

If you had predicted we’d have two wins in the first week without playing Lindbergh (rescheduled Oct. 3), I’d have said, “Well, thanks, I hope you’re right.” I don’t think I’d have believed the prediction, though. I would have hoped  you were right, but….

Well, good for you. You were right (assuming you actually made that prediction). But even before we walked off this win with a 2-run seventh inning, I felt like this was a winner. So did the umpires. In a break between innings, the more veteran of the pair told his rookie partner (behind the plate) that he was lucky to be getting such a good JV game for his first time. “Solid play, sportsmanlike behavior. It’s not always like that.” (If you haven’t read the article by Michelle Munz in the Post today about the officiating crisis, it’s worth your while. Technically it’s about football, but applies to all sports. Full disclosure, this reporter is the mom of one of my granddaughter’s best friends.) {Link: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/friday-night-lights-on-thursday-as-schools-struggle-to-find/article_804f1a1b-b74c-5c64-b149-5adcbe169018.html} Had the final score actually been 7-6 in favor of Eureka, we would have still been pleased. 

But I actually did believe, as did the girls, that we would win this game when we went to the bottom of the seventh down by only a run, thanks to getting through the top of the frame facing 2-3-4 unscathed, thanks, in part, to Nora Marcikiewicz’s first nab of a base thief. Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy Rule #1: Don't Panic.

Venus (Flytrap) Moran started off the bottom of the seventh (against a pitcher who has pitched for their varsity) with her second base hit and moved to second, then was driven home with the tying run by Myah King’s ripped double down the LF line. Myah (who had again channeled her inner Bader by scoring from second on a dribbler) then scored the walk-off winner as Marko (Marcinkiewicz) battled in an AB that forced the Wildcats into an error.

So many highlights, including Ivy Clark’s yard shot in the first, followed by two more runs, let Eureka know they were going to have a contest. Solid defense, tough at bats (only 5 Ks in the game), and controlled pitching from Taylor Knapp kept things close until we could add on with two runs in the fifth. Eureka’s 3-spot in the top of the seventh only set the stage for the walk off drama.

We were down players due to absence and illness (thanks to freshman Maddie Keefer for grabbing a uni and offerering us some insurance), but the bench was as loud as our 14-player unit from last year who were known for their enthusiasm and support for their teammates. We coaches are loving how this team is coming together for each other and developing their own softball family. Come see us at home on Tuesday against Mehlville. “You’ll like the way we look” [and sound, and play, and….]

But for now, enjoy the pictures from Andrew Graning and Maddie Keefer.

Ivy Clark is congratulated on her bomb to put the Statesmen up 2-0 in the first inning. 

Emmy Gary connects for her fourth straight hit to start the season.

Sophomore Taylor (Friday) Graning did a good job at second base with two put outs and two assists.

Don't forget we had salsa in the dugout before the game. This is what a team looks like.

Myah King is a threat on offense and defense as she learns a new position, third base.

Catcher Nora (Marko) Marcinkiewicz didn't get this runner, but she dot the one in the seventh to send us to the bottom of the inning only one run down.

Taylor (Salsa Queen) Knapp has walked only one batter in her 12 innings, is now 2-0. 

Alyssa (Venus Flytrap) Moran is a two way player, outstanding in CF and reached base on all four ABs in the leadoff spot.

Myah King slides in safely with her second stolen base of 2018.

Zoe Weik got her first opportunity to try out her slapping skills against a tough pitcher.

Defense! Only 1 unearned run today.

The Innies were stout today to back up TK in the circle.

This was the ball that sent Myah King home with the game winner. Marko did a great job of base running, putting pressure on the Wildcat defense -- they blinked, we walked off with a winner.