Pirates Advance To State......

                To play Poynette...last year's state champion.

    I sometimes am in awe of this team.  There are times when I think that scoring 120 runs in a row is just amazing.  There are times when I think that winning 21 games in a row is pretty good.  There are times when I think that the highest team batting average ever and the highest team on base percentage ever is quite an accomplishment.  I even think that being conference champ, regional champ and sectional champ is worth bragging about....But when everything is said and done the legacy of these kids may just be the fact that many of them will have played in FOUR state tournaments.  They are exceptional, they are talented, they are special...and they look darn good in orange and camo.  Today, I was soooo busy and into the game that the team shots are kind of missing...but the food shots are plentiful...The day was much more than just playing softball.  These young athletes may be good and having fun and messing around...but...when it is game time....they find that switch and they can turn it on..  You should see them in practice.. Some of the drills are routine and mundane but when it comes time to practice they really hit it hard.  It is this drive that allows this team to excel. And in Madison, I will have somebody else take pictures....

Today could be summarized like this.... ERRORLESS, NEARLY PERFECT, EXCITING, AMAZING.

Game 1: Elk Mound  6-1

We turned east on 29 heading toward Green Bay.  We discovered that the road we had planned to take did not have an exit from the freeway... We went to Cadott... and circled through the countryside, waving at the small herds of Holsteins and hoping that we would get to the game on time...  and Bart followed us... Eventually we rolled in to Fall Creek and arrived at the field.  Apparently, we had been missed.  For this game we had to actually flip the coin... We won and gained the home advantage.  Mollie started the game by fanning the first batter.  The next two outs went to Lindsey and Alyssa.   Mollie made a very loud statement when she launched a rocket over the right field fence...NO DOUBT....  With one out Whitney rifled a shot to left that the fielder caught by her shoe tops. Miranda hit a screamer to center...  We started to gain momentum.  Elk Mound looked worried.

Grantsburg started the third with Alyssa reaching on an error.  When Katie's grounder was also botched.... the runners started to pile up.  Mollie walked.  Whit popped to the catcher for out #1 bringing Miranda to the plate.  Alyssa scored on a passed ball for the second run...soon Miranda also walked. With two outs, Sarah snuck one down the line for a double scoring both Katie and Mollie.  The score stood at 4-0....

In the bottom of the 4th came some more pressure.  Alyssa singled to center.  Katie placed a perfect bunt and beat it out for a single.  Mollie and Miranda each singled and soon we had two more runs.

The Mounders did muster an attack in the fifth inning.  With two hits they were able to score a run cutting the lead to 6-1.    Jamie came in and pitched the sixth and seventh innings and shut the door giving Grantsburg a sectional win.  For the game Elk Mound had only 2 hits and 2 walks.  The Pirates picked up the six runs on 8 hits.  Mollie, Miranda, and Sarah each had two hits.

Tony and Dawn...perhaps others brought a very nice spread for the players as we relaxed between games.  On the other field, Chippewa had shutout Hurley 6-0.

Game 2:  Chippewa Falls McDonnell  2-0

CF was a team that looked good from the moment they walked on the field.  They could throw and catch better than anyone we had played.  They could hit... They understood the game... They looked good.   And they practiced hard.  Also most of the kids had played in the state championship game last year and they were ready to put their cards on the table.   Grantsburg looks very athletic just standing there...and so did McDonnell.  Two years ago, we had beaten this team to make it to state.  Last fall, there was an epic volleyball battle as we beat the Macs to go to state... They must be a little tired of the Pirates.

We won the flip.

Again, Mollie struck out the first batter.  The first two innings went quickly as both pitchers played well.  Both teams were making the defensive plays, too... It went something like this.... Shelby back hands the grounder and throws to first.  Whitney runs down the ball up the middle and throws her out.  Jamie steps back on the grass and catches the line drive... Lindsey fields another grounder down first... and the Macs...they played great defensive and robbed us several times.  The game was being played at a high level.

and now...for the 4th inning...... Mollie laces a grounder past the first baseman for a lead off single.  Whitney places a perfect bunt advancing Mollie into scoring position.  And up steps Miranda... Miranda had flied to the fence in the second inning and is on a terror... have you ever seen the little smirk she has....it is the look that something fun is about to happen... CRACK...the ball was off... no need to run to fast.. just watch in amazement as the ball left the universe and headed toward Grantsburg.  She took full advantage and enjoyed the slow gallop around the diamond.  She deserved every slow step. The two run blast was even more exciting than the two run blast vs. SCF.  The score was now 2-0 Grantsburg...  People were sensing that the Pirates were placing the last nails into the finished product.

As in all games, there is a moment to pause... It came in the 7th inning.  With one out, the Macs ripped back to back line drives placing the tying run on first.  A slow roller was hit past Mollie, but Whitney picked it up and gunned her out at first for out #2.  The tying run was now on second with two outs.  Very similar to SCF, a ball was hit down the right field line...FOUL.... Bart let out a sigh of relief....  Soon, Stirke 3 was called and the celebration was under way.  The Pirates were sectional champs....  It was kind of like the movie The Perfect Storm.  Grantsburg had been nearly perfect during the day.  They made every play.  They made every catch.  They made all the right decisions. They out hit both teams... They are the sectional champions.

Not only was Mollie and Miranda amazing with the bats,  Shelby, Whitney, Jamie, and Lindsey had played flawlessly and impressively in the infield. They had 24 chances at batted balls and made 24 outs...a great performance..  It was classic fastpitch softball and Grantsburg was impressive....

Hats off to the the Macs...they were great players and great sports.  The coach was very complimentary as were the players.. They took the time to shake each player's hand during the awards ceremony....  They represented themselves, their team, and their school with the highest respect.  Congrats on their year, too.

We drove to Eau Claire...got lost again, but this time had several cars following us as we arrived at the Olive Garden.... A fun time was had by all... After arriving back in the burg, we emailed all the state information that was due today...I am at home now but it is 12:30 in the morning...I think I will sleep and finish in the morning....

good night all...dream well and dream often...

TWIS:  Hey Pewe.... Nice to see soooo many people at the crick...  Jade got a date at the garden...Alyssa has the biggest stomach.  Mrs. Davidsavor chases people around....Sorry Paul, I missed the picture... Nice to have Judge Judy do both games...made us feel like home.  Warm-ups without the chicken dance. hmmm.  We will leave next Thursday morning...shirts on the way...pep session, too.  15% gratuity billed at Perkins.... 18% at Olive Garden...should we expect service for that fee?  Whitney lectured the Perkin's lady.... Saw the Kallmans there, too... Rich and Janice held the door.... we were hoping for more fresh cookies.  The next bus will be a coach.  We didn't have to play on the bad field this time... We had played a few years ago at Fall Creek and they put us on some ugly park field.  Susan Wickstrom ran into the fence.  Did you know that the Macs had played in the state championship last year?  Bart's team got second at Cushing.  What a great bunch of fans came down to watch...we were allll impressed... and the field was very nice..  Coach Hanson and the Saints drove down and cheered for us.  Luck won their first game before losing in the sectional championship... Many other sectionals were rained out... Fall Creek had almost 5 inches during the night...the field was perfect...too bad the corn was gone.  Rich, the magazine guy was from Elk Mound.  He came and cheered us on while he sold magazines.  Do we still get the same bus driver for State?  Everybody clapped during the birthday song at Olive Garden.  Grantsburg highlights were on TV after the game.  Don got drenched...and somehow, I got it on film...See the pic below...wonderful timing.  During warm-ups..the girls keep telling me Hit It Harder....I worry sometimes..  The school gave each girl 12 bucks to eat...very nice.  We need somebody to film the state games...please help...My email has been quite slow, lately...I work by myself most days.  Liz came and practiced with us... Hello Jocelyn.  On the school web page, you may see this same team standing in Madison two years ago... They were good then and they are good now.  The main course has been served.  WE are enjoying dessert.  or would that be desert or would that be Mounds of whipped cream or would that be big Macs again?  So come and dance...come and play...come and celebrate...come and make stories..

Congratulations 2006 girl's fastpitch team.  You have made a HUGE mark.

Just announced...pep session June 1 @ 11:20 in the high school... in honor of state softball and Kutz for track.

IDU!