Busy 4-Game Weeks Ahead: Pattonville Visits Plymouth Tomorrow

We kick off the first of two 4-game weeks on Monday, at home against Pattonville. We’ll welcome back Kaz and Wall:e from the big club, where they acquitted themselves well against varsity-level competition. That’s a good thing as we’re starting to deal with our own injuries. Last year we lost to both Pattonville and Lindbergh, our first two opponents, but we’ve clearly shown we can compete with anyone and I’m looking forward to some good games..

Our tentative line-up for tomorrow:

There's No Q in Webster -- Webster 20, Francis Howell Central 15

If you are going to bet on JV softball games, well, first of all you probably deserve what you get; secondly, don't ask me for predictions, or, if you do, do the opposite of my thoughts, because I’ve been spectacularly bad in predicting outcomes.

Down 6-0 against what appeared to be a dominant Francis Howell Central team, the Statesmen fought back twice, first to tie the game at 6 in the top of the third, then to pull within one after FHC added a quick 5 in the bottom of the third. This was team win, with every player contributing as Kaz and Wall:e stayed with varsity. We’re hoping at least one can rejoin us next week.

Sami Meyer, pitching her best game of the year, shut down FHC's offense until Webster had pounded out an insurmountable 20-12 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. She was supported by big offensive games from Molly Kurtz, Paton Lamprecht, Brittany Hartung, Emily Rapp, and Megan McClure. Timely additions from the rest of the line-up and generally improved defense turned a game that looked like it was headed for a mercy rule loss into an energizing win. Our next team goal is to have that energy out of the gate and sustain it throughout the game.

I had some early hope of taking consolation that we might sneak up on FHC if we face them in the tournament at the end of September (we're in the same bracket). No hope of that now; we'll just have to beat them the old-fashioned way. I'm hopeful this game will give our team a boost of confidence that will carry through next week when we have 4 games against Pattonville, Lindbergh, Parkway Central and Windsor. Wednesday will be a short practice day.

Tentative Line-up v. Francis Howell Central

We are Road Warriors tomorrow with a long bus ride to Francis Howell Central. Below is the tentative line-up. While the players will probably not change, as we try to give a start to those who haven't had one yet, the batting order may change. I changed today's line-up twice from what was posted, including just a couple hours before game time.

CJ Walks Off in 8: Cor Jesu 12, Webster 11

Despite jumping out to a big lead, the Statesmen couldn't score after the third. Shaky defense and a couple mental errors let Cor Jesu back in and then a good softball game broke out. Sami Meyer did a good job of shutting the door, helped by strong outfield play. Becca Perman hit a 3-run homer in the first; Maia Langdon added a pair of hits and two RBI. We worked our way out of a bases-loaded, one out jam in the bottom of the 7th, but the winning run score on a sacrifice fly as Paton Lamprecht made a tumbling, body-sacrificing catch but couldn't bounce to make a good enough throw to get the runner.

Signs of growth and progress. If we can continue to improve and find our hitting stroke, we could be a strong team come tournament time.

Just Call Us Memphis -- Game 2 of 3, Tentative Lineup v. Cor Jesu

Injuries and illness on the varsity have resulted in temporary promotions for tomorrow's game against Cor Jesu as Wall:e and Kaz stay at Plymouth field.

Our trip won't be long, just over at the familiar Affton Athletic Association fields, usually 2 or 5. Last year was a 13-3 win and I'm hopeful we can duplicate the general result. Our tentative (and this is truly tentative as I ponder how to replace 2 key players) line-up for the game (assuming one of the varsity doesn't injure herself getting out of bed)....

Marquette 13, Webster 8 (8 Innings)

Scoring three in bottom of the sixth and three in the seventh to tie, Webster left the winning run at third before falling 13-8 as Marquette plated five in the top of the 8th inning.

In addition to the the backbone shown by the offense, pitchers Sami Meyer and AnnaClaire Bryant refused to get discouraged by infield errors and pitched well. Erica Waelterman went 3 for 4 with a triple and 2 rbi, Maia Langdon saw her OBP drop a few points with a mere 2-hit game, and Hannah Love, subbing in at third, went 2 for 3 with a rbi. Becca Perman made three outstanding catches and Kate Kazlauskus's strong throw nailed a runner trying to score. 

Despite the loss the team showed progress and heart and I am proud of them. They are developing great team chemistry. Cor Jesu tomorrow at Affton Athletic Association. As always, thanks to Beth Kazlauskus for the pix. If you want pix from tomorrow's game, you may want to bring a camera, as Kate and Erica are staying with the varsity tomorrow.

Game 1 of 3 -- vs. Marquette

Last year we were within one bad inning of defeating Marquette, losing 10-8 at their field. If we can play a little better defense this year at home, who knows? We'll play Cor Jesu at Affton on Wednesday and travel to Francis Howell Central on Thursday (with a chance we could see them again the last weekend in September at the Francis Howell Tournament -- they're in the same bracket, so Game 2 is a possibility). Tough week potentially, although it's always tough to predict JV from year to year.

Fortunately the weather has cooled, although I felt very good about the work the girls put in on Friday in the gym. I'm not sure we could have accomplished a whole lot more had we been able to work outside.

The tentative lineup for tomorrow's game: