Pioneers Axe the Statesmen, 13-5

We knew going in that this might be a tough contest. We had seen enough of Kirkwood this summer – and the past several years – to know that they had talent and coaching, a growing program that has closely paralleled our own. Add to that the long-standing (friendly, characterized by respect and sportsmanship) rivalry, well, it was going to be a big day.

Except for one bad (terrible, horrible, no good very bad) inning, we played even with that strong Kirkwood team. However, those were mistakes of execution, not preparation, not attitude, and they didn’t diminish our approach to the rest of the game. Olivia Leaver kept her cool on a hot day, just taking the ball and firing strikes. Another game with no walks from her. Nic Rikand finished out the last two innings with a solid effort in the circle, as well.

Maddie Keefer put us ahead, briefly with a bases clearing double and a 5-2 lead. She also was robbed twice by the left fielder. Caitlyn Boyd (POG) defied the Pioneers to throw her out and they couldn’t, not at first, not at second, not at third. Only a great diving catch by the Kirkwood backstop deprived her of a perfect day. 

I don’t know how many games we will win this weekend, next week, this year. But given what we saw today, I’m optimistic that we’ll see improvement game after game, week after week, and I’m looking forward to seeing that happen.

Marko sets up to receive one of the many strikes thrown by....

One of my favorite moments in every game is when the IF gathers around their pitcher.

Nikola Rikand finished out the game with a strong two inning performance.

Bailey Allen forces the Pioneer runner back to second, backing up the throw back to the pitcher.

Caitlyn Boyle not only sparked the offense with 2 hits and 2 runs, but added a catch in RF.

Final Thoughts (Softball Banquet Script)

I know that the coaching staff went into this season thinking that last year would be difficult, if not impossible, to match. Not in terms of wins and losses, so much, although that task was daunting enough, but in terms of team chemistry and cohesion. While every team is unique, of course, the sophomores of this year modeled the sophomores of our 17 squad (who, in turn, had the models from 16 to follow) and built a team that was, day in and day out, a pleasure to coach and work with. Oh, and we won 20 games again, so that was cool, too. As always, your players were blessed with an incredible group of coaches, including the varsity and Orange; thanks, also, to Coach Collins for his support of the program on all three levels. I especially want to thank Coach Cerutti, Coach Knapp, and our spirit guide, Coach Wylie, for making this job such a pleasure. I’ll remember these seasons after they stick me in the home for retired coaches.

Many of this year’s freshmen will have the responsibility to continue that leadership trend in 2019. And let’s just say we are confident that they can live up to those expectations from their coaches. We’ll be announcing some of the individual awards as we wander through our roster, but all of those were close votes with at least 3 contenders for each. I think that speaks well of both the depth of our squad and the respect the girls have for their teammates.

• Emmy Gary had a solid rookie year, splitting time between 1B and the OF and we’re looking forward to seeing her grow as a player. Emmy has made the commitment to up her game with a strong team for the spring and summer and the coaches are looking forward to seeing how much an already strong player improves.

• Our Rookie of the Year was our third baseman, Myah King, who set a couple records, including most HRs in a season (6, including 5 that cleared the fence; that number also ties the JV career record set by Anna Whelan in her two JV years, and not coincidentally, intentional walks, also 6).

• Fortunately for us, that intentional walk strategy was frequently foiled by our catcher, Nora Marcinkiewicz, who thanks to all those runners Myah wasn’t allowed to drive in, lead our team in RBI with 38 in our 22 games. But Nora also did a great job of field leadership, working not only with our pitchers but our entire team.

• Our OF defense was anchored by Venus (Flytrap) Moran in CF. Alyssa was a one-woman Web Gem show and taught me not to mark the scorecard too soon lest I have to scratch out the hit and mark in an “8.” Oh, and she hit .550 with 7 triples.

• Our own José Oquendo (except she hit better) was Taylor Smith who can, and frequently did, play everywhere. That flexibility was crucial when we were bitten by the injury bug. The question, “Well, now who’s going to play that position” always involved Taylor, whose bat also grew stronger as the season progressed as she hit over .500 and averaged an OBP of 67%.

• Finally, Zoe Weik kind of got cheated out of her freshman season by an Astroturf hop at Fox that put her on concussion protocol and out with cracked eye orbit. Remember that the next time you roll your eyes at an OF with a mask. Bad hops happen, and not just on turf. Right Noel? Fortunately for Zoe and us she was able to return in time for the Hancock Tournament and share in our 5^th consecutive first-place trophy.

Which brings us to our third straight group of amazing sophomores who, every year, take a group of girls and help them bond into a team. Two years ago Julia and AP were a key part of that core. Last year it was Maya, Megan, JP, Rebekah and Noel. This year it was….

• Lydia Beggs who played some third, first and DP in addition to her leadership role. Like her sophomore teammates, she modeled playing the game the right way, working hard all the time, (and overtime) and putting her team – and teammates – first. She also hit .350, not too shabby.

• Caitlyn, Speed Racer, Boyle took on the challenge of joining the team as a sophomore and coming back from an injury at the same time. As injuries mounted her role expanded and her skills increased as she developed into an accomplished slapper/bunter and hustling defender in RF. Coach Cerutti, Coach Wylie, and I marveled at how she was able to back up throws from an IF BEFORE it hit the fence! Oh, in addition to batting over .600, she also set the JV record for SBs with 39.

• My girl Friday, (Taylor Graning) who has gamely put up with my penchant for creating nicknames, also saw her role expand as the season progressed and finished the season as our regular 2B, where she made only 3 errors and had a fielding % of about .950. She also clearly demonstrated that she understands the concept of team and lent both her softball and leadership skills to JV Orange on numerous occasions when they were short-handed.

• It speaks to the depth of our team that TK, Taylor Knapp (we had enough tailors to open our own shop) was not a unanimous choice for team MVP. But she clearly WAS the choice as she wrote her name in the JV Statesmen record books, setting the standard for wins in a season (17) and a career (28), eclipsing Olivia Collins’s marks. TK’s love for the game and her teammates were just as valuable as her skills in the circle. I often quote Douglas Adams’s admonition from HGTG, “Don’t Panic,” and TK’s calmness in the circle embodies that and keeps the wheels from coming off.

• Nic Rikand saw her role change this year and I can’t tell you (well, obviously I can and now will) how much respect she earned from the coaching staff. With her fellow sophomores she was not just a great teammate, but a great leader, no matter where she was playing in the field. She took charge and helped keep us focused, game after game, and gave us 100% effort, every inning, every AB.

• Finally we come to our last sophomore leader, Sarah “Sockeye” Sammon. Leadership is never an easy task, because true leaders lead with actions, not just words (although words do matter). It’s easier, of course, when you’re in the limelight or always on the field. It’s much more of a challenge when you could be (rightfully) frustrated by a limited role, when you want to be doing more than you’re too often given the chance to do. That is so hard, and so important, that over a decade ago we even created what I think is our most important award, originally named for Jennifer Matthews and Casey Murphey, to honor that kind of leadership. The players who have earned this award have all gone on to success and I am as proud of each of them as any players I have ever coached. Congratulations, Sarah, on joining that admirable and exclusive sorority.

Walk Off Winner: Webster 8, Kirkwood 7 (8 innings)

I.Love.This.Team!

Yes, still, even if they just added to my obviously folliculated-challenged status.

Because after an exciting walk-off win against KIRKWOOD!, what were they saying? That this was a team win, that everyone on the team was a part, an IMPORTANT PART, of this victory. Sorry if I’m shouting, but I’m still excited, even after a Pueblo Solis therapy session.

Finally, a real game! This would have been a heart-breaker to lose, but most of us know that you can, eventually, get over a broken heart. (Or so I’ve heard; I’ve been lucky enough not to have experienced that first-hand.) But how much better not to have to, to celebrate, as the girls are right now with a camp-out (See above and thanks to the Collins family for hosting--Yes, all 14 of them!), getting even closer (is that even possible?!?) as a team. The umpire asked Coach Cerutti, “Are they always this loud?” “That’s our team,” said Coach. Yep.

Darn those Pioneers! This well-coached team (we get to play them again later in the season) refused to quit, came back to not only tie, but take the lead – twice! But guess who else refused to quit – the Statesmen! Even after K-wood scored in the top of the 8^th to go up 7-6, our team willed itself to a victory.

Megan Hayes worked lead-off walk in a great AB. And with the bases loaded, Nicola Rikand UNloaded for a walk-off double and an 8-7 victory. Much more exciting and rewarding than our first five wins. The girls agreed, that, win or lose (and winning is better, of course) that this is the kind of softball game we want every time.

And here’s the thing. We can get better. We played far from a perfect game, far from our best softball. After Hannah Jansen took the air out of the Pioneer’s Conestoga tires (well, technically Conestoga’s didn’t really have tires) in a spectacular third inning display, we started making mistakes. In fact, up until the final inning, Kirkwood, quite frankly, outplayed us, making fewer mistakes than we did. But they couldn’t outheart us, and that proved to be the difference.

Kelly Collins, in relief of Taylor Knapp and Nicola Rikand, each of who recorded pressure outs, (and herself), picked up her well-deserved third win in the circle. The Kirkwood coach kept thinking, “What, another pitcher?” We used, and needed, all three. I close with this final obscure reference. We followed Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Rule #1: Don’t Panic!

That’s a winner, 6-0. More tough games to come and, as Coach Cerutti noted in the post-game, now we know what we need to work on. Given the fire and work ethic of this group of great young women, you can expect to come out and enjoy even more and better softball in the games to come. And check back for pictures. You’ll forgive me if I was a little too wrapped up in coaching the game to take my camera off the fence, and our players were too excited to do any snapping either.

Just.Wow!