REGIONAL CHAMPS

A note from the AD

There are a select few that get the next picture.  Its history comes from Jason Burkman and James Althoff.

Everybody out there has been involved in athletics.  It is very, very special when a team puts everything together and plays nearly perfect.  In fastpitch, the pitcher's arm gives the team a chance to win.  The team's gloves, bats, and attitude then must take over.  Tonight, Grantsburg played nearly perfect and later, as I go through the game, you will notice that every starting player contributed.  It was an amazing game in front of a huge crowd.  Thanks to all who came!

Stu said..."It must be something in the water."  So as Lydia is touring Rome she discovers that the famous water also exists in that country.  So thanks Lydia... We now agree...It is something in the water that makes players great.

During the season we had many home games... For each game we had a furry little friend join us in the dugout.  Of course it got to be a pet, received a name, and was treated with due respect.  But, we have played our last game so we did not want the little fellow to starve from lack of sunflower seeds.  So we bid it farewell.  It had a good life.  At his point we are hoping that it is of Buddhist origin.  Maybe next year it will come back as a raccoon...or even the famous whippoorwill.

And finally... the details of the nearly perfect game!

    SCC was a great team.  In the previous game they had trounced Glenwood City 9-2.  They were at the peak of their game as they came to Grantsburg for the Regional Championship game.  Grantsburg was also starting to peak as they had the full team back.  The crowd was huge.  The temp was perfect. This was fastpitch at its best and those attending were treated to some amazing plays.

No, they were not brothers.

    In this heavy weight battle, SCC threw the first punch.  Adkins ripped a rope towards Annie who snagged it for out #1.  The next speedy batter placed a perfect bunt and stood at first with a single.  Brock then smashes one to the gap.  Cody raced it down, hit Ingrid with a perfect strike who then showed off her guns...as she fired to the plate. Romo tagged the runner for out #2.  Hawkins was the next batter and laced a liner that was grabbed by Tiff.  The fireworks had started early...but the Pirate players took the hit and showed off some fine defensive skills.

    Grantsburg had a strong showing at the plate during the game.  In each of the six innings, Grantsburg had runners on base.  In each of the first five innings, Grantsburg had runners on third.  To start the game, Tiffany worked the pitcher for a walk.  Like clockwork, Sarah sacrificed her to second.  You ask your players to give you a chance to score and this was our first chance.  But, SCC was also up to the task and shut us down.

Heather hammered two hits

    Michelle cruised through the second inning.

    Heather (heat) has been on fire lately.  She started the second with a single to center. Ingrid then actually hit a ground ball single placing runners on first and second with only one out.  We then showed off our speed as Cody cruised into first with a "I am faster than you can throw" bunt.  The bases were now loaded with one out.  Again, SCC flexed and all runners were left stranded.

    SCC threw another punch in the third.  Redmon walked and Paulick singled.  That placed runners on first and second with nobody out.  Sweet Sarah had a big game for us.  As Adkins placed a bunt down third, Ing called for the ball and Sarah turned and fired just in time.  Now they had runners on first and second with one out.  SCC had some speed in the top of the lineup and here was another player that could run.  Sarah decoyed her by staying back but broke on the pitch.  The bunt was in the air.  Sarah sailed across the middle of the field and snagged the bunt in the air.  As she smiled, she pivoted and placed a perfect throw to second for the inning ending double play.  Sarah smiled sweetly.  I jumped into the air and hit my head!  It was a huge stop for Grantsburg and gave us some fire.

    Typically after huge plays, that player gets to bat.  Sarah came to the plate and worked a walk.  Michelle's bat has been hot...another techzilla.  She laced the liner to the gap in right center for a triple scoring Sarah giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead.  Annie hit a grounder and Michelle tried to score.  SCC made the play this time and Michelle was out.  But the Pirates had placed a run on the board and the momentum started to build.

ROMO was Wonderful!

    Michelle cruised through the fourth inning.

    It was now time to show off. With one out, Romo singled to center.  Tiff hit a spinning ball just out of the reach of the pitcher.  When SCC finally made the throw to second it was off target and headed to the outfield.  Finchy, who was courtesy running for Romo, stood at third and Tiff at first.  Sarah was up to bat.  Tiff took off....the catcher faked to second and tried to get Finchy at third.  The throw went into left field and Finchy scored run #2.  Tiff stood at  third and soon Sarah walked.  On the next pitch, Sarah took off and Michelle swung. The result was another gap shot for Michelle and two more runs crossed the plate.  The very next batter was Annie.  SCC threw her a change up and she smashed it over the head of the left fielder.  The gates were starting to close for SCC.  Emily followed with a line drive single scoring Annie and the smiles were starting... Oh wait...I guess we smile all the time.

    Michelle cruised through the fifth.

    In the fifth inning, Cody reached on an error once again showing off her speed.  Sarah singled and Michelle walked.  The bases were loaded with Annie standing at the plate.  Now if I were a pitcher, I would hesitate pitching to Annie...'cause a home run would have ended the game....Anyway.....completely by accident Annie took one off the helmet.....forcing in Cody for run #7.

    Scc refused to quit.  That is what makes any team good. With one out, Chinander walked.  Brocks bricked her second double of the night scoring the first run.  Hawkins followed with her own double scoring Brocks.  SCC had 2 on the board.  They just kept playing the game and remained very positive.

    In the bottom of the inning, Emily picked up her second hit but no runs crossed the plate.

    In the top of the 7th, Hawkins hit a line drive right at Michelle.  She snagged it.  The second batter ripped a rope at Sarah.  Sarah short hopped it, smiled a bit...and threw her out at first.  SCC's last chance hit a grounder deep to the hole at third.  Ing grabbed it and showed off her gun again.  Annie stretched, like only Annie can do....and the ball game was over....

Wow....Grantsburg had played a nearly perfect game in EVERY aspect....  Enjoy those nights!!!!

    For the game.... SCC had 5 hits and 1 walk and only struck out 4 times.  The Pirates pounded out 12 hits and picked up 4 walks  Getting hits for the Pirates was EVERYBODY...yes EVERYBODY that started got a hit.  Tiff got a hit and walk.  Sarah had a hit and 2 walks.  Mich had 2 hits and 3 RBI's.  Annie had a hit and an RBI.  Heat (#5)  ripped two hits.  EC made it look easy with two hits, too.  Ing singled to left.  Cody had a hit. and ROMO ripped one, too.  It was an amazing team performance

    People in athletics should appreciate the quality of this game.

    Congratulations Pirates 2009.  You just placed yourself into the History book.

TWIS:  I am giving a test first period..I will write it then...  So she took some skin off EC.. I think EC and Cody are ready for the deer camp!  Did Heather really cause grief in class again??? It must be true that blondes have more fun!  Poor little chimunk. So....I am coming to field....the players are yelling for me to hurry...it is important!! and then they bring out the tatoos..!!!!  Don had some strange five petal weed on his deltoid.  I had a fairy.  Michelle must have odd skin....nothing stuck.  What time did SCC get here.. Wednesday night????  we had to water the field again... the dirt started to grow on me.  Thanks Brian, Scott, and Greg for all of the work you do.  Thanks to the Wistroms for the cold treats.  Mac thinks Mollie looks like Cody on steroids.  Callie laughed...and what a nice surprise..Callie is pregnant.  A few players made the rounds after dark...No flamingos this time....thank god.  WE don't want anybody shot at!  Sarah smiled all the time.  Do you think they intentionally walked Michelle?  Romo wears lucky tape....and can now actually fake a throw. Nicole talked again...we think.  During the National Anthem, the baseball field also stopped in reverence for the Flag.  That was nice.  The umps had never been here...they thought we had a GREAT set up for playing ball.  Courtney did great as the announcer, too....and her rock'n husband helped out.  Lydia followed us from Italy... Great shot of the Potable water.  Emily heard Potent Potables on 101.3.   Grammar queen.  Who on earth taught Heather how to drive????  Thanks Bart for showing the players the rise ball.  Thanks Mollie for showing the girls a left handed pitcher.  Directions to Regis will show up soon.  Sometimes I want to go just sit by my tree.  Have you ever watched this team at practice...or in the dugout...they have a GREAT time.  Everybody cheered as Ing hit a ground ball!!! I saw Sasha. Annie now chases down alllll the pop-ups (ballhog). She still wants to climb the fence.  Tiff gets everything else..  We do let the OF call off the IF... Relays rocketed tonight.  SCC only struck out 4 times... Gretchen, you are awesome.... You organize, you lead, you help out, you catch for me...you do sooooo much.  You meant a great deal to the team.  Ing...what can you say....you played only 3 years but your natural ability made you great.  Your hits...your arm...you had skills.. and last night I talked to a mom.. and she said... you TREATED younger players with respect!  That is great compliment.  So high school was fun.  It should NOT be the best time of your life.  Those days are STILL to come.

For this one night.... the 2009 team was perfect.  It doesn't always happen.  People usually don't win all there games...  but.... You never know!!!!

SYBTF

We now go to Carson Park in Eau Claire.  We will play Park Falls at 1:00.  The championship game is at 3:00

Lola was excited and peewee'd after the treat!