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.

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.

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.

Taking Care of Business: Webster 16, Fox 2

We travelled to Fox (of the $2 gate ticket and artificial turf) with two objectives in mind: 1) win the game to tie the record for most JV wins in a season; 2) provide opportunities to play to girls who have worked hard and improved their game but have not had the chance to show it as much as we all would have liked. Check and check. Behind strong pitching, defense (Megan Hayes!), and 20 hits (including a Kelly Collins homer and a Hannah Jansen triple), we jumped out early and added on steadily en route to a 16-2 6-inning victory.

I know this starts to get old (does winning ever get old? Really? Uh, no.), and I admit, wordsmith that I am, that I’m having trouble coming up with new ways to praise this team. After this game I was talking to a former student whose daughter plays for Fox (she’s injured, out for the season) and told him how great the girls were (not how good of players they were). I said, “And they’re pretty good….” at which point his daughter interjected, “No, they’re VERY good.”

We’ll just leave it there. Join us at home for a grudge rematch against Kirkwood (this year it’s their grudge) and the wrap up of our first JV conference championship when we take on Ritenour on Thursday. That leaves our 3-game Hancock tournament and the finale against Cor Jesu Tuesday. Thanks for your support.

Reminder: please let me know about your decision on the photobooks as soon as you can. These are just a few from today because it is late.