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.

Big Steps Forward, Ignore the Score. Eureka 12, Webster 1

We have already lost as many games this season as we did each of the last two. But the coaching staff is much happier this evening, following our 12-1 loss to an excellent Eureka team. With all due respect to the excellent Oakville team we saw yesterday, I’d bet that this Eureka team would beat them most of the time. The Wildcats probably could have made the score even more lopsided, but demonstrated the class consistent with their reputation and refused to take advantage of an outgunned opponent. (No implied criticism of Oakville, btw; I respect their coaching staff, as well.)

But the Statesmen worked hard and I’m certain learned from this experience, lessons that will serve us well as we grow throughout the season. Softball is a game of inches, and I can think of four balls that, given an inch or three, could have easily ended up in gloves.

Whatever the girls said in the Players Only meeting after yesterday’s game clearly had impact, and I truly respect the leadership that is growing in their roles, as well. This is a long season, one that has just started, and if we continue to progress in skill and approach, I think all of us will look back on the season as a success.

Olivia Leaver showed tremendous mental toughness in the circle, not walking a batter and battling back from some 3-ball counts. Neither errors nor rockets seemed to phase her and she kept her composure throughout. Nic Rikand’s stiff shoulder kept O in the circle a little longer than we would have preferred, but she soldiered on. Freshman Morgan Lawrence flashed leather on the left side at both short and third and Emmy Gary was a rock at 1^st. Maddie Keefer notched our first “caught stealing” and girls worked and cheered hard throughout the game.

Progress often comes in small steps and can’t always be measured by statistics. The losses might look similar on the scoreboard, but the girls unanimously agreed that today’s game was lots more fun.

Doing a little “catch-up,” we have instituted a (purely subjective) “Player of the Game” Award, a stretchy bracelet given to each game’s “winner.” (All our girls are winners.) Morgan Lawrence inaugurated the award for her game against Lindbergh; Nic Rikand took the honors after the Oakville game, and Taylor (Friday) Graning is the current bearer. Hope to see you at tomorrow’s 12:30 (or thereabouts – we follow the varsity, so the time must remain flexible, maybe earlier, maybe [but I hope not, for personal reasons] later) contest against Poplar Bluff, where you can play along trying to predict who will wear the award until our next game (players can earn the honor more than once). 

"Speed Racer" Boyle gets ready to work her slap/bunt magic, drew two walks, stole two bases.

Olivia Leaver pitched a complete game for the Statesmen; Morgan Lawrence, busy in the field, gets ready for a play.

Catcher Maddie Keefer took two good ABs, drew a walk and (via courtesy runner Jilly Sanders) scored the lone run.

CF Ally Marshall continues to develop as a slap hitter, getting one hit and driving in the lone Statesmen run.

Freshman Bailey Allen brings a lot of energy to her play, subbing in at 2B due to an injury.

Taylor Graning will play multiple positions this year because of her good glove. Today she was in right.

When not behind the plate, Marko mans the OF, and makes a catch in left in the second inning.

Nicola Rikand manned the shortstop position today; she'll also pitch and play OF.

Sophomore Ally Marshall gets ready to return the ball after making a catch in CF.

Tigers Claw the Statesmen: Oakville 18, Webster 6

In any season there will be ups and downs. This is especially true on the JV level. Today was a down day.

Not just because we lost. Not just because we lost badly. Not just because we played poorly. While all of those were true (and it must be noted that Oakville was better than we were), what made this game particularly disappointing (we coaches are disappointed FOR the girls, not IN them) was that we were not ready to put our best game on the field. 

The coaching staff had an inkling that that we might be facing a rude awakening. We didn’t really display the kind of energy that has become the Statesman Standard even in yesterday’s victory, and the result was a 7-run first inning mauling by the Tigers that essentially ended the game before we even got to bat. On a positive note, we finally discovered a sense of urgency in the third inning and answered with 5 runs of our own to extend the game to at least 5 innings. 

It’s relatively easy to be loud and energetic when you’re winning (and we’ve done a lot of that the past couple or three years); it’s more of a challenge when you’re not. I’m happy the players requested their own “players only” meeting after our post game to deal with the concerns noted. The key to success is growth, and we look forward to making progress toward that goal in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow doesn’t get any easier, as we travel down I-44 to Eureka to face the Wildcats. I’m looking forward to seeing the fire return to the Statesmen tomorrow and Saturday against Poplar Bluff. The card reader from Amazon didn’t make it when promised, so you’ll have to wait for an update (I’ll notify you) for pictures and just settle for the box score.
These just in. Because the time is 11:30 p.m., no captions, just pix, courtesy of players on the bench and our managers, Jack Korte and Zoe Weik.

Walk Off Winner! Webster 8, Eureka 7

If you had predicted we’d have two wins in the first week without playing Lindbergh (rescheduled Oct. 3), I’d have said, “Well, thanks, I hope you’re right.” I don’t think I’d have believed the prediction, though. I would have hoped  you were right, but….

Well, good for you. You were right (assuming you actually made that prediction). But even before we walked off this win with a 2-run seventh inning, I felt like this was a winner. So did the umpires. In a break between innings, the more veteran of the pair told his rookie partner (behind the plate) that he was lucky to be getting such a good JV game for his first time. “Solid play, sportsmanlike behavior. It’s not always like that.” (If you haven’t read the article by Michelle Munz in the Post today about the officiating crisis, it’s worth your while. Technically it’s about football, but applies to all sports. Full disclosure, this reporter is the mom of one of my granddaughter’s best friends.) {Link: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/friday-night-lights-on-thursday-as-schools-struggle-to-find/article_804f1a1b-b74c-5c64-b149-5adcbe169018.html} Had the final score actually been 7-6 in favor of Eureka, we would have still been pleased. 

But I actually did believe, as did the girls, that we would win this game when we went to the bottom of the seventh down by only a run, thanks to getting through the top of the frame facing 2-3-4 unscathed, thanks, in part, to Nora Marcikiewicz’s first nab of a base thief. Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy Rule #1: Don't Panic.

Venus (Flytrap) Moran started off the bottom of the seventh (against a pitcher who has pitched for their varsity) with her second base hit and moved to second, then was driven home with the tying run by Myah King’s ripped double down the LF line. Myah (who had again channeled her inner Bader by scoring from second on a dribbler) then scored the walk-off winner as Marko (Marcinkiewicz) battled in an AB that forced the Wildcats into an error.

So many highlights, including Ivy Clark’s yard shot in the first, followed by two more runs, let Eureka know they were going to have a contest. Solid defense, tough at bats (only 5 Ks in the game), and controlled pitching from Taylor Knapp kept things close until we could add on with two runs in the fifth. Eureka’s 3-spot in the top of the seventh only set the stage for the walk off drama.

We were down players due to absence and illness (thanks to freshman Maddie Keefer for grabbing a uni and offerering us some insurance), but the bench was as loud as our 14-player unit from last year who were known for their enthusiasm and support for their teammates. We coaches are loving how this team is coming together for each other and developing their own softball family. Come see us at home on Tuesday against Mehlville. “You’ll like the way we look” [and sound, and play, and….]

But for now, enjoy the pictures from Andrew Graning and Maddie Keefer.

Ivy Clark is congratulated on her bomb to put the Statesmen up 2-0 in the first inning. 

Emmy Gary connects for her fourth straight hit to start the season.

Sophomore Taylor (Friday) Graning did a good job at second base with two put outs and two assists.

Don't forget we had salsa in the dugout before the game. This is what a team looks like.

Myah King is a threat on offense and defense as she learns a new position, third base.

Catcher Nora (Marko) Marcinkiewicz didn't get this runner, but she dot the one in the seventh to send us to the bottom of the inning only one run down.

Taylor (Salsa Queen) Knapp has walked only one batter in her 12 innings, is now 2-0. 

Alyssa (Venus Flytrap) Moran is a two way player, outstanding in CF and reached base on all four ABs in the leadoff spot.

Myah King slides in safely with her second stolen base of 2018.

Zoe Weik got her first opportunity to try out her slapping skills against a tough pitcher.

Defense! Only 1 unearned run today.

The Innies were stout today to back up TK in the circle.

This was the ball that sent Myah King home with the game winner. Marko did a great job of base running, putting pressure on the Wildcat defense -- they blinked, we walked off with a winner.

And the Beat(ing) Goes On: Webster 15, Parkway Central 0

I.Love.This.Team!

It’s not the obvious skill level, which is exceptional and deep. No, it’s all about the attitude, the unselfishness, the team bond, the energy, the joy, the commitment to playing the game the right way…. Sophomores leading the way, freshmen following that great example.

Take this game, yet another mismatch that was pretty much over after scoring 10 in the first inning. Our defense backed Nicola Rikand’s first pitching start and victory; she allowed one hit and one walk in her three innings in the circle. Despite the fact that not a single ball came even close to the outfield, all three outfielders were on the move after EVERY PITCH, backing up throws, ground balls. That’s not the just the sign of a good team, that’s the sign of a team that appreciates the game.

Earning our fifth victory (and the respect of the Colts pitching staff and umpires) was great, but every player playing the game the right way guarantees that this will be a successful season, and not just in terms of wins and losses. We’re looking forward to a challenging conference game against Kirkwood’s Pioneers at home tomorrow. Come join us.

Working at Winning With Class: Webster 24, Parkway North 0

Still waiting for a true test. Parkway North might have been the weakest opponent yet, but our girls did a great job of “winning with class.” They kept their energy up despite the obvious mismatch (The Vikings recorded 6 outs against us, 3 of which came from “leaving early,” to which we called the umpire’s attention; a 4^th came from a bases loaded bunt). It was a challenge to even give outs without deliberately striking out, something I’d never ask a girl to do. In any case, our cumulative score for 4 games: 12.5 innings, 76-1.

Looking forward to a good practice tomorrow and more competitive games on Wednesday (away against Parkway Central) and Thursday (home against Kirkwood). The latter we fully expect to give us a true challenge. Parkway Central is kind of a “You never know.” It’s ranged from blowouts (our way) to a 3-2 loss just a few years ago. One thing we do know is that our girls will give a spirited performance and their best effort.

No practices on Friday or Monday, but we’ll work hard next Tuesday to get ready for Francis Howell Central (Wednesday) and Hazelwood West (Thursday), then another prep day (short but intense) getting ready for the challenging Fort Zumwalt Tournament. Every team member is guaranteed one start in every tournament. If your weekend schedule makes one game more accessible to parents and/or grandparents (I’m kind of sensitive to the grandparent thing, not that it has much chance of ever being an issue for me in an athletic competition), please let me know and I will try to accommodate. Also, I had more (good) pictures, but hotel internet is dreadfully slow. Check back tomorrow night to see if I was able to add some to this batch.