Phoebe Softball - Week 4 - Games 7 & 8

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game 7 - Tuesday, June 6th

We played Mulvane #1 in Mulvane.  The girls were excited to play on this 90 degree day.

Phoebe played Shortstop, 3rd, and outfield.  She didn't have any balls hit to her, but we did have a few throw outs at first base that were nice to see.

Looks like Phoebe is looking in front of the ball instead of at it in the picture to the top left.

Below left, Phoebe playing third base.   Kali, pictured below right, had some great plays at first base.

On deck...Phoebe taking a few practice swings...

Game 7, about 15 at bats this season for Phoebe, and no hit.  Too good of a swinger for no hits.

Well, she finally did it!  Her first hit this year.  Before her at bat, Coach BJ went up to her and told her that the first pitch the ball would be the size of a cantaloupe, so she needed to hit the first one.  The advice worked.  Above, she is rounding first base and heading for second!

The other teams pitcher was very talkative.  She kept trying to help with the machine and would throw the ball hard back at me from just a few feet away.  I caught most of them, but one throw hit me in the knee.

Above, Phoebe high fiving coach BJ as she ran to third base.

She also scored her first run of the year.

 Above, Coach BJ, Coach Kris, and I talking about coach BJ's advice to Phoebe.  We also talked about Chloe's (Coach Kris's daughter) 3 for 3 hitting night.

Lightning Wins! 5 - 0.

Game 8 - Thursday, June 8th

We played Rose Hill in Rose Hill.

We knew from the first inning that we were playing a good team.

Phoebe had some good at bats but had 3 strikeouts.

The machine was a good machine and I found the spot on the ball where I could throw strikes with almost every pitch.

Catching has become the most desired position.  I have 6 girls in the catching rotation.  Above Coach Kris helping his daughter, Chloe, get ready to catch and Chloe catching and throwing back to the pitcher.

Phoebe played shortstop, third, and outfield.  She had a great play in right center that saved a run.

It was a small bench in the dugout so the girls had to sit close. 

Our girls played a great game.  We were down 7-3 going into the last inning and we tied the game.  The other team scored a run in the final inning to win, but it was nothing to hang our heads on.  I was very happy with our play.

Grandma Great and Mike were able to come watch this great game as did Popee and Nanee.  Stacee had to leave early with Sarah to get to her game in Haysville at 8pm.

Sarah Softball - Week 3 - Games 5 & 6

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game 5 - Wednesday, May 31st

Rainout - Rescheduled to - June 13th

Game 6 - Thursday, June 1st
We had a conflict with Phoebe's and Sarah's game this night, so Eric was not able to be at this one because he was coaching Phoebe's team to another win.  Below, Silas wanted his picture taken too.

We played Clearwater in Clearwater.  Sarah played shortstop, third base and first base.

Emerie pitched the first couple innings and then Quinn came in to close it out.

Sarah walked at her first and second at bat.

Some of the girls are starting to get the hang of sliding into home.  There seemed to be a lot of closer calls at home against this team, so some of the girls got to get dirty.

Below, Coach Matt coaching first base, and high fiving Sarah on a "good eye" and walk.

Then she took off and stole her way all the way around the bases.

Great game Sarah and the Diamonds!

 Diamonds win! 17 - 11.

Phoebe Softball - Week 3 - Games 5, 2/make-up, & 6

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game 5 - Tuesday, May 30th

Game 5 was played in Douglass.  Coach BJ wasn't able to make it to the game so I asked Wade to help out.

1-2-3, Go Lightning!

Phoebe played shortstop, outfield, and second base.

The worst player on the team was me, the pitcher.  I got discouraged with the pitching machine.  It was a junker.

Phoebe had a hard, foul ground ball but no hits.

The girls played with more energy tonight and won the game 3-0.

Make-up Game 2 - Wednesday, May 31st

We played Haysville #2 this evening.  This team came in undefeated and we were 3-1.

Before the game, I try to get every girl a few balls to hit.  Above, Phoebe, practicing batting with me.

Phoebe played shortstop, 2nd, and outfield.  We had a 20 minute lightning delay.  I blamed the lightning on our girls because they wanted to yell Lightning instead of Defense on our pre-game huddle.

I am trying to build back Phoebe's confidence at the plate.  She struck out both times tonight and we are still looking for that first hit.  She had a good swing at the start of the year but her lack of confidence has also hurt her swing.  She needs a hit.

Well, we didn't win, but we didn't lose.  The game ended at 2-2.

Thanks Coaches!

I was very happy to see Baylee get her first hit of the year.  She had the biggest smile on her face.

I was pleased with our play tonight.  The girls were energetic and excited to play.  They were also focused and played hard.  Good job Lightning!

Game 6 - Thursday, June 1st

We played Mulvane #2 tonight in Haysville.  Stacee wasn't at this game, (because Sarah had a game in Clearwater at the exact same time) and I forgot to take pictures.  I hit Phoebe second in the order because I wanted to get her more at bats for Uncle Eric and Aunt Lindsee to see.  She had a few foul balls but struck out all three times.  She played shortstop, 3rd, 2nd, and a couple innings in the outfield.  Below, Phoebe's fan club for the night...left to right, Uncle EP, me, Phoebe, Nanee, and Aunt Lindsee.

We won 7 - 4.

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.