Vikings powdered by Johnson and Johnson....and Lund
There are many nuances involved in coaching girl's softball. One of our early obstacles was to... not play softball during garage sales. Then there was the idea of having dugouts. At first, we built the dugouts to keep the girls warm while they were not batting. Then, we discovered there were several reasons that dugouts were valuable. First, their boyfriends couldn't talk to them or even see them. Secondly, their moms wouldn't stop in and see if their skinned knees required hospitalization. And Thirdly, dads and uncles wouldn't give them batting tips from the 70's. But, this Prom thing has always been an issue. How do you bat while wearing nails? Can you actually slide so that the strawberry is in the shape of a heart? There is sooo much to think about. But, we got through.....We thought Frederic actually did a very nice job. They played with great enthusiasm and made some very nice plays. For a first year team, they did many things well. Congratulations!
We arrived downtown Frederic and nobody was at the field. Don made an executive decision to go to the other field....and we found them on the baseball field. Perhaps in the future, Frederic will give enough importance to girl sports to allow them to have a real softball field....(paid announcement) In the first game, Grantsburg was the visitor and did not score in the first inning. During conference double headers, the games only last 5 innings... so when the first two innings went scoreless, people started to pay attention. Grantsburg's big inning was the third. Katie W started the inning with a single. Nell, who is just on a roll, followed with a single. When Susan hit one right through the legs of the third baseman, the first two runs crossed the plate. Elise followed with a walk and Jamie with a single. After Carrie walked, Kerissa came to the plate and lined a shot to center scoring two more runs. When all of the dust had settled, Grantsburg had scored 7 runs and the game was secure. The first game ended in 5 innings with Grantsburg winning 7-0. Nell picked up two hits with Jamie, Kerissa, and Katie W getting the rest. Grantsburg walked 5 times. Frederic scored 0 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk. Elise struck out 8 players in the 5 innings.
For the second game, Whitney got the nod as pitcher. In the first 3 innings, she held Frederic scoreless without allowing a walk. Frederic did pick up 2 runs in the 4th following a triple by Schmidt. Ashley made her pitching debut and pitched the 5th inning. Grantsburg got on the board early with Nell scoring in the first inning. In the second inning, Kerissa reached on a Frederic error. After Katie K popped to the pitcher, Whitney laced a shot to left for a hit. After Sarah walked, Katie W placed a perfect bunt down the third base line for a hit. After Nell and Susan reached base, Elise singled to left. That was the end of the Frederic pitcher and a new player came in. The only other exciting play was when Katie K smashed an in the park homer in the third inning. She launched it over the left fielder's head and circled the bases for the run. Grantsburg picked up 8 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. Grantsburg did not strike out in the second game....prom was starting to wear off. Frederic picked up 2 runs on 5 hits.
Small Homily: We have had a very successful season so far in the win and loss department. With the exception of the 2001 volleyball team, you won't win every game. Vince Lombardi said the will to win is the most important. It is not the actual winning or losing. Frederic was also a winner tonight. They played hard and they played well. So respect the game, respect other players. Play each game to the best of your ability. If you win, pause and celebrate. If you lose, reflect and move on. Life's lessons come from winning and they also come from losing. But.... the winning lessons are a lot more fun, so practice hard.!!
TWIS: We welcome another team to our conference that has an Ex- Dairy Queen. Most people survived Prom. We didn't practice on Friday...We are halfway through conference play. New sidewalks are being placed to the softball field. New dugouts will arrive this summer. If home fans can't see the scoreboard, should we switch dugouts? Head Coach Don is buying a Harley. Assistant coach Steve bought a 28 year old seat on Ebay. Frederic plays on a baseball field. There was no game downtown Frederic, but we checked anyway. It was nice to see so many fans. Kerissa made the two hand tag in the baseline...very coachable. Katie W had a perfect bunt. Katie K should have gone for twice around. We now hit a heavy portion of our schedule as we reach the half way point. Nell has a batting average well over 500. Elise almost knocked the pitcher out, but the shortstop made a great play to get her. We all stopped for icecream after the game. I checked on ebay for road signs. Callie Bjelland's name came up????? So who put River Falls on the schedule? Did Luck beat St. Croix? or was it the other way around? I hear the softball players were a HIT with the golf team!!! at least Smith and Teigen said so. So where did we come up with red shirts, blue shirts, pink shirts, blue hats??? SCHOOL COLORS!!! Carleton has a rule....shorts if over 65 degrees. We have a rule, too. Shorts over 20 degrees... Everyone looked great at Prom... Take your nails off, this is softball season. Hi Kelcy, hope your sunburn heals. If you still read this...let me know. and.... last night, did you see me get drilled by a wild Frederic throw? MaY Day is coming up. There are a few very special holidays.... This is one. Absolutely over powering, unexplainable, magical, unreachable, yet so very real. The treats in the dugout have been great. Thanks to all who have brought. Missy says hi.....She and Michelle will play in the alumni game.... We only need a date....According to Pauline...St. Croix and Luck split the double header last night.... And in Ashley's picture down below....who on earth is the right fielder that is dancing during the pitch?gggg
ITOYMTTY
