Phoebe Softball - Week 2 - Games 3 & 4

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game 3 - Tuesday, May 23rd

Game 3 was played in Haysville against Haysville #3.  It was a cool, rainy start during pre-game, but the rain stopped and the sun came out for the game.

 We started out the game hitting as we did in game 1.  We scored a few runs and left the bases loaded.  After the first inning, we didn't hit much.  Phoebe hit great in pre-game and fouled off 3 balls during the game (one hard one that was only foul by a few inches), but didn't get a hit.  She is very close and I foresee that she starts hitting next game.

There is a few minutes between innings so you can see me entertaining myself.  I also talked a lot with the other teams pitchers.  They were a very talkative team.
 Below, Phoebe is playing at 3rd and 1st.  She also played shortstop and outfield.

We won a close one, 2 - 0.

Game 4 - Thursday, May 25th

Phoebe's favorite position is shortstop so I give her an opportunity there each game.

The girls couldn't get the bats going and didn't play with much energy.  We will need to regroup for next week's 3 games.

 We lost, 4 - 1, our first loss of the year.

Phoebe's 1st grade teacher came to watch the game.  Above, he posed with the girls from his elementary school: Baylee, Gabby, Phoebe, and Haylee.

Sarah Softball - Week 2 - Games 3 & 4

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game 3 - Monday, May 22nd

Game 3 was against Oxford/Udall in Haysville.

Hannah pitched great the first 3 innings.

Sarah played 3rd base, Shortstop, and 2nd base. 

She got hit in the foot with a pitch on the first at bat so she got to take her base

Popee and Nanee were able to come watch this game.  Silas liked sitting with Nanee and cheering loudly for the Diamonds.

The girls didn't have many opportunities to swing the bat.  It was a tough game to watch with all the walks.  Above Sarah swung at one that was chin level.  Might have been the closest pitch she had to a strike all night.  She walked every at bat.

Below, Sarah is stealing home

Quinn pitched the last couple innings and did a good job.

We won 17 - 5.

Game 4 - Wednesday, May 24th

Game 4 was against Belle Plaine #2 at Haysville.  During pre-game warm up, we could sense that the girls did not seem too interested to play.  The coaches gave a pep talk about being self motivated and then sent the girls out into the outfield to talk about it.  It is good to see the team unity and revitalized spirits.

Sarah and Hannah were ready to play.

Sarah played first base, 3rd, and shortstop.

Quinn It to Win It threw a great game.  In fact a perfect game!

The girls only got a few opportunities to swing the bat because the other team could not find the strike zone.

Some girls swung at bad pitches just so they could try to hit.

Sarah had a walk and a strikeout.

We won, 15 -0 in 3 innings.

Phoebe Softball - Week 1 - Games 1 & 2

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game 1 - Tuesday, May 16th

I am head coaching Phoebe's machine pitch team this year.  Our team name is Lightning.  Above I am talking with our other coaches, Coach BJ (blue hat) and Coach Kris (pink visor).

Our first game was in Clearwater against Clearwater #2.  I thought we were ready, but I really did not know what to expect.

Above I am pitching from the machine.  It was a different machine than I am used to and the wind was howling, which made pitching difficult.  Despite the issues, I did alright.

Phoebe (#7) had two at bats.  She struck out both times but had good swings and had one foul ball that was only a few inches foul.

Phoebe played shortstop, second base, and in the outfield.

Before we go to the field, I let the girls know what positions they are playing.  Then we break the huddle and the girls hustle to their positions.

I am excited to say that we won the game 4-0.  We hit well, especially the first inning.  We also left 8 people on base so a few hits and we could have scored more.  We will need to work on being more aggressive at base running but overall I was very happy with how we played.  Good job Lightning!

Game 2 - Thursday, May 18th
Rain-out - rescheduled to - May 31st

Sarah Softball - Week 1 - Games 1 & 2

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game 1 -  Monday, May 16th

Our first official game was against Winfield.  We had heard that Winfield was very good, and what we heard was correct. 

I could tell the girls were nervous during pre-game fielding so I pulled them together to let them know we will be alright.

Hannah pitched a good game for the three innings she pitched.  We were up 5-4 after 2 innings and down 7-5 after 3 innings.

Sarah got walks at both of her at bats (None of our girls got a hit this game.  All our runs were from walks).  She stole all the way around (sliding into home once) both times to score two runs for the team.  I have been working on a shorter, quicker swing with Sarah and I saw her use that swing at one of her at bats.

Sarah played 3rd base, shortstop, and catcher.

Quinn came in at the 4th inning and struggled a little.  We were down 12-5 after 4 innings.

Above, I am telling Sarah to steal once the ball leaves the pitchers hand.

Emerie had her first experience pitching ever during the fifth inning.  She struggled at the start to throw strikes but then started to get the hang of it.  Sarah caught for her and Quinn.  We lost the game 17-9 but all in all we played ok against a very good team.  We haven't lost since our first game 2 years ago, so losing isn't something our girls are used to.  Hopefully that is the reason some of the girls seemed disinterested.  We will look to rebound on Wednesday against another Haysville team.

Game 2 - Wednesday, May 17th
We played Haysville #1 at an 8pm game.  This was a big game for us because the Haysville team with the best head to head record gets to go to the state tournament after the regular season games.  Before the game, Coach Matt and I met with the umpires and opposing coaches.

 Sarah played 3rd, shortstop, and second base.  Below she is playing 3rd.  Quinn was the starting pitcher.

Sarah's first at bat was a high pop up out to the pitcher.

 Below, Sarah is playing short stop.

Below, Lexy stealing home.

 In Sarah's second at bat, she hit a hard line drive double to right center field.  She then stole 3rd and home.

 Below Sarah is playing 2nd base.  She made two good plays in the field and was doing a great job of hustling.

The coaches had to have a talk with the girls before, during, and after the game about getting motivated and excited to play.  Don't know what the reasoning for the lack of excitement.

We won the game 16 - 9.  I was happy with Sarah's play and hustle.  Hopefully her good example will rub off on others.