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.

Colts Corralled: WG 17, P. Central 0

At the risk of sounding over confident, this was pretty much the game we expected as the Parkway Central Colts came to visit. Actually, despite a plea for mercy before the game even started, their team played a little better than might have been expected. We only received three walks and they didn’t make too many errors. But our girls adjusted quickly to the slow pitching and generally hit the ball hard, too hard for their inexperienced outfielders to handle.

Two of our Taylors combined to hem in their bats for a 17-0 shutout and made a quick afternoon of it. Not to be left out, our third Taylor drove in 5 runs, including the final three with a triple to sew up the victory. We were a little short-handed and gave a couple Orange players an inning and an AB, so we extended the JV Black experience to Maddie Keefer and Maci Rekart. Proud of our girls who played fast and well, but respected an overmatched opponent.

    I’m glad we have a practice day tomorrow to help us prep for a very difficult match at Marquette on Wednesday, followed by a visit from Festus on Thursday before our Fort Zumwalt West Tournament this weekend.

Sorry this is late: internet was out most of the evening.

Batter up! Tk gets ready to start the game.

Despite a good backhand and strong throw, the ball skips off Emmy Gary's glove at 1B. But Caitlyn Boyle was backing up and made it close on the runner trying to advance.

Two innings was enough for TK and The Statesmen (new band name?) to earn their 7th win.

The Statesmen time the pitcher in warmup to practice their leads.

Myah King is quickly learning how to be an excellent third sacker.

DP Lydia Beggs rounds first after her single to lead off the second inning.

This is how you take your lead off third base -- in foul territory so you don't cost your team an out when the ball scoots down the line and hits the bag. Lydia Beggs running, Taylor Smith hitting.

Alyssa Moran takes the extra bag as she heads for second.

Taylor (Friday) Graning made her debut in the circle for JV Black, throwing a scoreless inning, no walks.s

Another view of Friday (and can there ever be enough Friday views? -- the day, not the person), mostly because I like it.

Nicola Rikand gets dirty, makes the toss to Taylor Smith at second.

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.

Hmmmm. Too Many Mistakes: Marquette Mustangs 10, Webster 5

One of the downsides of not playing enough good teams is that when you face a (very) good team like Marquette, mistakes that were less obvious become glaring.

You cannot make many mistakes against a good team, and we made too many to win the game, falling to the Mustangs, 10-5, in a game that was actually much closer than the score indicated. A dropped fly ball and then small ball allowed Marquette to tack on 5 insurance runs in the top of the seventh, turning a one run deficit into an almost impossible mountain to climb

The Statesmen continued to fight, however and showed the spirit that we’re used to. Errors in the field hurt, of course, but neither Taylor Knapp nor Kelly Collins lost their composure in the circle and battled to keep their team in the game. But the game really turned in the fourth inning, when bad base running slowed our threat faster than a red light during rush hour. Good teams will make you pay and Marquette did.

But that’s JV softball and it’s time to learn and move on, hoping we use the lessons of this loss to play better tomorrow against Festus and next week against Northwest and Summit, all tough teams. We are giving the girls Friday off, but they’ve already made requests for our practice agenda on Monday and Wednesday. I can’t think of anything more positive than that.