Grantsburg 15 - Cameron 3

Pine City 5 - Grantsburg 3

Seasons come and seasons go.  Welcome back to the fastpitch season in Grantsburg rivaled only by Groundhog's day and the opening of deer season.  It will be a good year in Grantsburg as they return 100% of last year's team that ripped off over 20 wins in a row on route to a conference championship.  Returning seniors include Whitney Johnson, Katie Kooiker, Sarah Evenson, and Shelby Durand.  Returning junior starters are Mollie, Miranda, Lindsey, Jamie and Holly.  Last year there were no seniors on the team.  This year there are no freshmen.  One change from last year is that we have 10 JV games.  Many of those games will occur during the varsity game with Callie Olson coaching.  Also remember many of the away games start at 4:30 so make sure you check the schedule.  For bus times go to the newsletter page.

Today we took the show on the road to the dome in Stillwater.  The first opponent of the day was Cameron, a very young and talented team.  When their number two hitter singled we were all surprised.  When the #4 spot doubled and the next hitter lifted one over the net in right, we were all surprised... We were also behind 3-0.  I guess it was kind of like a Cold shower but the Pirates answered the call.  The Pirate bats started the season hot.  Katie, Mollie, and Whitney went back to back to back hits.  Lindsey also picked up a double in the first as Grantsburg's first five batters all scored.  Cameron decided to not make any noise and make the Pirates mad. Katie started the second with a triple and scored on Whit's triple.  Grantsburg really piled up the runs in the fourth. Mollie started with a single.  Whitney picked up her third hit of the game and was followed by a double from Miranda.  Miranda picked up another hit later in the inning as Grantsburg scored 8 runs.    The game ended with a 15-3 score in favor of the Pirates.  Mollie pitched the first four innings and Jamie closed the game in the fifth.

Quick run to Culvers..and of course the traditional 75 cent investment at the tattoo machine.  It could be the biggest thrill of the spring.  Get your tattoo and get your picture... Thank goodness we didn't film Jeff's tattoo that surrounded his hairy belly button.  And speaking of tattoos...Michelle's mom got tattooed while she sat on the sideline.. Mitch should have caught it but he didn't want to hurt his hand.  Also nice to see Craig Johnson at the game....

Game 2 was against a very good Pine City team.  Last year we beat them by a score of 4-3.  Both teams returned most of the players.  PC went quickly in the first.  Katie started our half with a sharp single.  Mollie then laced one off the knee of the first baseman.  The ball bounced back to the pitcher who threw her out on a very nice play.  Whit remained hot and singled up the middle scoring Katie for a 1-0 lead.  Grantsburg picked up another run in the third. Miranda walked and reached home after Lindsey lined one to the gap in right center.  PC then came up with another great play.  Jamie had fouled off about six in a row and then lined one between short and third.  The SS dove and made a great catch robbing jamie and then throwing out Holly who was running at third.  PC had made another great play... and it takes great plays to win close games.  PC tied it in the 4th on three consecutive hits.  Both teams battled until the 7th inning.  PC's bats came to life picking up four hits including two HR's to the short porch in right.  It was a perfect time for them to hit fly balls in that direction... It wouldn't work on a normal field.  Jamie came in to close up but the damage had been done.  PC led 5-2 going into the bottom of the 7th.  Grantsburg did not go down without a fight.  With one out, Katie walked.  Mollie bunted her to second and Whitney picked up hit #2 of the game driving Katie to the plate.  Even though we were hoping for Miranda to also find the short porch in right, it didn't happen...tonight.  PC had played a strong game.  The Pirates were reminded that winning is not automatic.  Final score PC 5 - Pirates 3.  Later on in this season, the two teams may scrimmage again as both prepare for a tournament run.

TWIS:  Did you click the softball on the first page?  This ball is small and yellow.  Alyssa broke her thumb...and they couldn't put a cast on it...too small??  Three weeks of the gym...where is the sun?  We had lots of players in the weekend play..congrats...  I almost got a new truck at the DQ...It was going to take some fast talking...only the three players on the bus get it.  do you know where the shortest interstate highway exists?  Good to see the ball in the clock again.  Welcome aboard Callie Olson Bjelland.  The new spitball shooter is ok.. Too bad nobody else can make it work.  We had a great 4 on 3 game the other day.  Alyssa also has a nice bruise on her leg...rivaled only by Miranda's tattoo on Whitney.  Ashley broke the scoreboard.  Bart is till in Florida.  Jamie played ball all winter.  Lindsey's arm is much better now...we told her not to use a pencil for two weeks.  Jade jumped from manager to player.  Strong stomachs.....  Barron on Tuesday and SCF on Thursday...  SCF has become a fun rival.  Should we all bring umbrellas Thursday night.  Elise hit a homerun in Florida last week.  Did you see the plastic car in the parking lot????  good stuff.  Did anybody fool you?  I have seen lots of eagles lately...Do you have any good stories to send me???  The youth softball, under Marshal law met last week... It was a great bunch of coaches.  If you ever decide to coach kids then consider reading this.   What do you guys think about theme night?? for example....For the first home game we have blaze orange night and play the song "Ima deer hunter" and then eventually have theme nighs like country music night, rockstar, opera, rap...etc...complete with costumes...and maybe do the Harley night again...  We can go right from Brokeback to Black Leather.  Let me know....before the season is over... and.. so the season has started... The cycles of life continue... The team is new and is looking to make new stories...  so take advantage of each game.. Enjoy a win when it comes... learn from a loss when it happens.  Treat people well and cheer for them when things go well.  We win as a team.  We lose as a team.  Let's make this team special.  Prom scholarships???  Let's take some risks.  Coming soon.... WMV from my palace in the tree.

HMK!

YNP!

LMKIYRT