Finish Strong: WG 14, Ft. Zumwalt West 4

“I’ve been workin’ on a rewrite, that’s right, gonna change the ending….”

As we trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the fourth inning against a strong opponent, I was composing my lead and headline, thinking about T.S. Eliot’s “This is how the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper.” But the JV Black Statesmen did their own rewrite and redefinition of the Big Bang Theory, forcing me to do a rewrite as they changed the ending, racing past the Jaguars of Ft. Zumwalt West with an 8-run answer, adding 5 more in the fifth inning and sending our guests hobbling home, reeling with the mercy-rule clincher in the sixth.

Ten games ago, JV Black’s record stood at 7-7. The girls closed their season with a 16-8, mark, winning 9 of their last 10. This was truly another team win and featured contributions from 15 of the 16 players (including three from our Orange squad) dressed for the contest (and that player, Faith Lowry, was ready to go in the circle if needed). 

As Coach Cerutti headed to the bench in the bottom of the fourth he was working on his pep talk. He decided it wasn’t needed. He was right. This team doesn’t quit, not on a game, not on each other. The end-of-season celebration, moved from Serendipity to Fro-Yo, was sweet, joyous, and well deserved. In the next couple days I’ll post a season-ending wrap up, but, for now, enjoy the box score and the memory of this come-from-behind season-ending victory over a good FZW squad.

Go, go, get ‘em…. They went and got ‘em.

Surfin' Safari, Riding the Waves to an Easy Win: WG 21, Festus 3

It’s JV Softball and the one thing you know is that you never know. We travelled south to Festus down a player (freshman 3B Morgan Lawrence, who was ill), prepared to try to cage some tough Tigers. 

The safari ended quickly, if not officially, when we put up a 7-spot in the top of the first and Olivia Leaver, with defensive help from Taylor Smith who slid over to third from short, put up a quick zero. We added on each inning, and except for a field goal in the second quarter, I mean inning, clamped down on defense and walked, ran and hit our way to a 21-3 win, as Nicola Rikand threw two hitless innings to close things out. 

With hits up and down the lineup and speed putting pressure on the Tigers’ defense, it was just a matter of time before we decamped back to STL with our eighth win and pushed our record back over the .500 mark.

Hazelwood West comes to visit Tuesday and we head over to Affton Athletic Association to take on Cor Jesu in what we expect to be competitive games before prepping for the Fox JV Tournament next weekend. But the girls get this weekend, a long one because we’re including tomorrow in it, off and resume practice on Monday. Lots of noise and energy today as the girls cheered and supported each other and made Coach Kate’s bus ride a worthwhile trip.

The camera never escaped the backpack today, so the only pic we have is from a warm up game the girls invented (to practice their ABCs) as we waited for the bus.

This game, getting all the way through the alphabet song before the crumpled paper bag hit the ground proved slightly more challenging than our opponents today. See you at the field on Tuesday.

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.

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.

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.

Finishing Strong: WG 17, Lutheran South 0

We looked to this game against the Lancers as a tune-up for tomorrow’s tilt against the Pioneers at Kirkwood, and the chance to maybe give some Orange players a shot at time to make up for a game they missed due to band obligations.

It all worked to perfection. Because I was subbing and wanted to save my favors to ride the bus tomorrow, Coach Cerutti took over the bus duties and I didn’t arrive until after stretches. I had wanted to tell the girls to play this game like it was Kirkwood, with the same intensity, the same drive that they will bring to the field tomorrow. I didn’t get the chance, but, turns out, it wasn’t necessary, because that’s exactly the approach they took, not only to this game, but every game. The three Orange players who came along fit right in when they got their chance (and they all got at least an AB) and will bring their energy with them and to us tomorrow.

With Nic Rikand in the circle, we dominated every aspect of the game and she picked up her third victory. TK closed out the game to get her work in and be ready for tomorrow. We adjusted quickly, hit the ball hard, ran the bases aggressively (Caitlyn Boyd upped her stolen base total with two bags to eclipse Olivia Weik’s JV record of 34, with one game to play), and fielded cleanly, including a drop step and retreat on a fly ball in the sun by our flex, Lydia (Lids) Beggs, who looked like she played LF every day. The Lancer hits were basically of the infield variety and Marko erased the first when the runner had the temerity to try to steal on her – not even close.

That’s about all I have (not even sure I have a worthy picture, but haven’t had time to check as I write this before heading to bed). If it’s there, well, great. If not, you’ll have to be content with the box score. See you at KHS tomorrow for a good game and a fitting finish to a tremendous year.

No Fear of Flyers: Webster 14, Lindbergh 4

For a few minutes there it looked like Lindbergh’s Flyers were going to bomb our winning streak as they jumped out to a quick 4-run lead in the first inning before we found our rhythm and footing. But thanks to a clutch 2-out at bat by Taylor Smith, we cut the lead to 4-2; the bottom of our order, always dangerous, loaded the bases and, with some strong baserunning, turned that 2-run deficit into a 2-run lead by the time the dust from our slides had cleared.

We had been scouted by Lindbergh and so Myah King added to her record with her fourth and fifth intentional walks of the season; Marko made them pay, though, with two sacrifice flies and a 2-run double. Again, this was a team win against a dangerous team, with every player, including the newly activated Zoe Weik, back from concussion protocol – and just in time as we lost Alyssa (Venus) Moran for the rest of the season with a broken foot.

I don’t want to start summarizing a season that still has half a dozen games to go, including maybe our toughest league contest tomorrow against Northwest-Cedar Hill (I’m so old I remember when they were called Northwest House Springs, and I have no clue when or why that changed) in Bug Heaven (I just put my Deet out) (NOT at the high school: Northwest Jefferson County Sports Complex, 4900 Byrnesville Rd. House Springs, MO 63051). But this team continues to amaze me, playing so hard for their school and their teammates. I don’t know what the season has in store for us, but I can tell you it’s been a pleasure working with these young women who represent their team, their school, and themselves with class. Our record stands at 15-1.

Thanks to Karen Smith for the photos below.

Caitlyn Boyle stole 3 bases, including third here, to move her total for the season to 29.

Freshman Myah King got two (more) intentional walks, hit a triple in between, and added five put outs.

Taylor Smith has played all over the field this year, including shortstop today as Alyssa Moran's injury forced us to move Nicola Rikand out to CF.

Zoe Weik made her return to the team by dropping a beautiful bunt down to move the game-ending run to third, where she (Friday) was driven in by Nicola Rikand's game-ending single.

After a rough first inning, Taylor Knapp shut the Flyers down with lots of pup ups to notch her 14th win in the circle.

Outrunning the Jaguars: Webster 12, Seckman 2

Seckman has long been a nemesis, at least for the JV (and going farther back into the 90s for the varsity), so I was looking forward to the test they would bring to our team. It was only after they arrived that we learned this was their second JV team, although their coach confessed that he had two decent pitchers. Although a bit disappointing, I think there may have been some gamesmanship in providing that scouting report, maybe hoping to soften us up. But we played like we were facing a 5-0 team, which we were, and which we became, scoring 7 runs in the fifth inning to end the contest with the 10-run rule.

Although the Jaguars threatened to put up a “crooked number” in the first three innings, TK and our defense limited them to single tallies until we could expand our 5-2 lead and walk off. It was a solid team effort and (perhaps overly) aggressive baserunning pushed across runs when Seckman couldn’t respond to the pressure.

Softball isn’t like some other sports, where umpire or referee baiting pays off. I’ve always felt like complaining to umpires about their efforts works at cross purposes. Whether that was true today or not, I don’t know, but I do know the Seckman coach was well known to at least the field umpire (from summer ball); if the plate umpire didn’t know him before, he certainly did by the end of the game. Let’s just point out that he prevailed in exactly none of the four questions/complaints about rulings during our game. Draw your own conclusions on that while you peruse the box score, pictures from Andrew Graning, Karen Smith and the bench. Then, if you have an extra $2 to spare, com watch us at Fox tomorrow as we close out our games this week. (Personally, there have been years we should have paid people to watch JV games, but Fox sees it differently.)

Emmy Gary drives in the first run of the game and the first of her two RBI in the game. 

Ivy Clark takes the throw from Marko to slow down this Jaguar trying to steal third.

Nora (Marko) Marcinkiewicz drives the ball. Her CR, Caitlyn Boyd, stole 4 bases on the afternoon.

Taylor Smith put three strong ABs together, drove in three runs.

Our girls consistently demonstrate sportsmanship and team camaraderie. #pleasuretocoach