Endangered Panthers. WG 18, Mehlville1

The black panther is not an endangered species, at least in part because it’s not its own distinct species. But the Mehlville Panthers softball program, based on what I’ve seen over the past decade or so, seems a likely candidate for the Endangered Species list. The high school didn’t even bother to prep the softball field this season because they’re building a new baseball field for next year that the softball girls will be allowed to share.

I can’t remember the last competitive game we’ve had with Mehlville and this year’s contest easily extended that streak after an 18-1 drubbing, with one-third of our outs coming from leaving the base early. I’m especially proud of our girls for embodying our “Win with class, lose with class” mantra, respecting the Mehlville players while not changing our approach in the field, on the base paths, or in the batter’s box. We even took good at bats against a pitcher so slow (and wild) that it was a challenge. Just a few pics from our game today, because, well, 18-1.

An even bigger challenge is our Thursday game against Kirkwood’s Pioneers at home, and we’re looking forward to a short, but fast-paced practice tomorrow to prepare. See you at the field.

Olivia Leaver picked up her third win in the circle, no walks again.

Just your usual 5-6 force out at second base. No, we don't shift. We also had a 2-4-9-4 DP.

Jilly Sanders took three good at bats with solid contact, but eventually didn't get enough strikes, settleing for walks.

Bailey Allen makes a clean pick and throw to get the out at first.

Morgan Lawrence played both left side IF positions, here throws out a Panther at first in the third inning.

Come From Away* --WG 18, PB 12

Apologies for the tardiness of this entry. Family obligations with lots of out of town cousins in for the interment of my aunt and uncle’s ashes in the Smith Sturdy Cemetery were complicated by the addition of this Saturday contest.

Watching the Poplar Bluff squad warm up, it appeared we would have our hands full, might even be a bit overmatched, especially after a rather ragged pregame of our own.

Pre-game style points don’t carry over on the scoreboard, however, and despite our being too slow in response to their opening short game salvo, we held the Mules to a single run in the first and used our speed and aggressive base running to counter with 7 of our own. It appeared that the opposition’s 3-hour drive might not have been worth it. To their credit, Poplar Bluff refused to quit, scoring in every inning until the sixth, and closing the run gap to just 2 runs going into the bottom of the fifth inning.

Olivia Leaver restored order at the end of the game, holding PB (no J) to just 2 runs over the last three innings to record both the win and a save. Orange call ups Faith Lowry and OP (Olivia Perry) both contributed to the win, as did every other player in uniform for the contest, whether afield, on the bases, or in the batter’s box. Truly a team win, and, while not as crisply played as we might want (despite only two official errors in the box score), we always regained our composure and kept the wheels from coming off.

POG Morgan Lawrence had 4 hits and an equal number of RBI and stolen bases, Taylor Smith, Emmy Gary, Olivia Perry (triples) and Olivia Leaver (double) all added extra base hits, while Caitlyn Boyle and Ally Marshall showed that the slap/bunt game is a two-edged sword that can be used by both sides. All in all a satisfying, if not particularly expeditious, victory over a dogged opponent.
    This week’s schedule features @Mehlville on Tuesday and a visit from Kirkwood’s Pioneers on Thursday, then an early morning (6:30 in front of Roberts) bus ride to the challenging FZW Tournament on Saturday. (Look for the brackets, directions, and tournament protocols for that event tonight.)

*Come From Away is an excellent musical (played the Fox last year, about the response of a small town in Nova Scotia to all the planes diverted there on 9-11-01) that I highly recommend if you get the opportunity. While it has nothing to do with softball, it seemed an apt article title given the home locale of our opponents.

"O" earned both her second victory and first save of the season, pitching 5 innings, allowing only 5 runs.

Marko guided the action from behind the plate, added a hit and two walks to the offense.

Taylor Smith had two hits, including a triple, and was solid at short.

Maci Rekart played the entire game at first base, added a hit in her only plate appearance, a short off the 3B's glove.

Morgan Lawrence earned her second POG honor, with strong defense, 4 hits, RBI and stolen bases.

Ally Marshal continues to grow as a slapper bunter, reaching base three times, and closed well on a dying quail in CF to close out an inning and threat.

Friday Graning was solid again at 2B, offers flexibility in her ability to play almost anywhere.

O gets support from her IF to start the game.

Coasting at Full Speed: Webster 10, Mehlville 0

It took us twice through the order before we were able to adjust to the Mehlville pitcher’s soft tosses. We sort of knew the Panthers were overmatched (seldom do strong squads bring only 9 players to the field, plus their reputation preceded them) so we left some weapons unused, as well. It is often a challenge to maintain the level of your game against a weaker opponent, but our Statesmen did exactly that.

Meanwhile, Taylor Knapp filled the zone with strikes, Marko called a strong game behind the plate, and our defense made all the plays, including at least one missed by an umpire. More important, we were loud and working hard on every pitch, which has become the standard for Webster JV Softball. Kudos to the girls on that. The game broke open in the bottom of the fourth as we plated seven runs on 5 hits including a triple by Alyssa Moran and a double by Emmy Gary. Nicola Rikand made her pitching debut in perfect fashion as she closed out the win.

Not much more to say except I’m glad we have a day between Mehlville and Kirkwood on Thursday (we travel to the ‘Wood for the first of a home and home series between the rivals). We will have short practice tomorrow, get our swings tuned up and be ready to go (Gordon permitting, of course, which isn’t given at this point). Thanks to the photogs from both JV Orange and JV Black, plus Andrew Graning.

Alyssa Moran rounds first on her way to a triple over the CF's head.

Taylor Smith has yet to be retired this season, having reached by walk, hit or error in every AB.

Speedster Caitlyn Boyle gets her first JV hit on a bunt.

Venus (Flytrap) Moran gets the second out on a fly ball in the fifth inning.

Nicola Rikand made her 2108 debut in the circle with a 3-up, 3-down fifth inning to close out the game.