The Pirates played their last warm up game before the conference opener on Thursday night. For the third year in a row, the Saints nipped Grantsburg 7-5. The game ended being a very close contest. In the JV game, the Pirates scored their second victory in a row as they beat the Saints. The JV raised their record to 2-0.
In the first inning, St. Croix's Jensen hit a homerun that bounced off the centerfield fence. Last year, she was able to do it five times and this year she did it again. Grantsburg committed two errors in the first, but held the Saints to only 1 run. In the bottom of the first, the Pirates loaded the bases with a walk by Jocelyn, and error on Heather's grounder and a single by Callie. The Saints pitcher then got tough while striking out Caroline and Kelcy and getting Doni Jo to pop to first.
Callie struck out the first batter in the second and forced the next batter to pop to first. With two outs, the Saints reached on another Grantsburg error and scored two runs in the 8th and 9th batting positions to take a 3-0 lead. Brandie got the Pirates going in the second with a short single to left. Jocelyn also reached base and Heather singled sharply to left to load the bases. Callie walked to bring in the first run while Kelcy took one for the team and forced in the second run. With the bases still loaded, Doni grounded to the pitcher for the third out. Grantsburg had stranded 6 runners in two innings.
Callie pitched very strong in the middle innings. During the third, fourth and fifth, she shut them out while striking out three. The Pirates tied it up in the fourth as Jocelyn walked again but was forced out at second. With Callie on first, Kelcy ripped a gap shot for a double. Callie scored all the way from first to tie the game. Things were looking good for the Pirates.
The 6th inning did the Pirates in…. with a couple of shaky plays. The Saints put three runners across with only 1 hit. The Pirates did not give up easily and brought the tying run to the plate in the 7th inning. Doni Jo singled followed by a line drive by Jessica. With runners in scoring position, Susan stepped to the plate and hit it over the right fielder's head scoring both runners. The game ended 7-5.
Sweet Play of the game: Megan did a little dance, two somersaults, three pirouettes, and then caught the ball behind her head for the most exciting out of the game.
Offensive highlights: The hitters started to show up. People with hits included Jocelyn, Heather, Callie, Kelcy, Doni Jo, Caroline, Jessica, Brandie, and Susan. Kelcy got a double while Susan got a triple.
Defensive highlights: Callie struck out 9 Saints in a good performance. Liz has now thrown out 3 runners in a row with Heather putting on some nice tags. Doni Jo snagged a line drive at first.
TWIS: We practiced in the snow on Monday. Thursday is our first big game because it affects the conference standings. We still have at least 3 open spots on the varsity. Let’s practice one hoppers. Thanks Brian and Nick for your work on the field. Friday we play in a dome…. Should we wear sneakers or spikes? We will leave at 1:00 and bring a lunch. We will stop and eat after the game. Jessica bats pretty well when she isn’t giggling. Right fielders should glue a hat to their head. Relax the hands when hitting. We have to make teams earn their own runs. The dugouts will be painted this weekend. The JV should give pointers to the varsity. So Tom….. how does it feel to be undefeated? Liz and Heather don’t let people steal. Jocelyn has a tough strike zone and the other pitchers know it…. Especially when we remind the other pitchers.. Last year Doni shut out Clayton 5-0 then Clayton came to our town and beat us. It should be a good game. We need to bunt the ball fair…sitting by the air conditioner and listening to tunes… driving to and from the auction… over the river and through the woods….now I type and can’t talk. Linedrives come from strong wrists.