WAC Softball Tournament 2018 Game 10 NM State vs GCU

WAC Tournament Posts

I had an uncomfortable night sleeping.  I was worried about two things, really nervous.  First, today’s championship matchup between the Aggies and the Lopes seemed pretty even.  The Aggies had taken the easy way to the last day and done so impressively.  Grand Canyon took the long way and showed no sign of fatigue.  Both teams had pitching that was “good enough,” but not dominant.  It seemed like one or both of them might be set up to collapse today. 

The other thing was personal.  I felt like I had gotten along with the beautiful ticket girl well enough that I thought I should try and ask her out.  I was pretty sure she’d at least see this coming, but I wasn’t sure what her response would be.  Yes, I know.  I’ve waxed poetic about “The WAC Girl” (Game 8) and about Utah Valley player, Basia Query (Game 2 and others), but this was actually serious.  Both of these women are very attractive, but given a legitimate choice between all three (a situation which seems very unlikely until I am made king), I’d pick the ticket girl.

With a 1:00pm start, I had all morning to stew on these two issues.  I put on my Aggie Football, “Made History,” t-shirt in hopes of inspiring the girls on field.  I took care of the personal issue right when I came in the stadium.  The ticket girl was still out in the souvenir tent, selling tournament t-shirts.  I asked her about going to dinner after the game or going to see the new Avengers movie sometime.  She was noncommittal, but told me to come back after the game.  Well, I’d have to focus on the game now.

It was a full house.  A chatter and buzz filled the stadium for the whole game.  I found Danny in the center grandstand and sat with him.  He was a bit withdrawn and pessimistic during the game.  He did report second-hand that the Aggie girls were pretty confident going into the game. 

Also in the crowd were Women’s Basketball coach Brooke Atkinson, who has come by enough to qualify as a supporter.  She walked fairly close by.  I wanted to say “Hi,” but crowd noise was too loud.  (I also didn't want to leap out in front of her, since she doesn’t know me.)  I saw Volleyball Coach Mike Jordan there at the end of the game.  He must like the softball girls.  I think he’s secretly planning on luring Kayla Green away from the team, in retaliation for Coach Rodolph trying to take Lia Mosher away from him.  I don’t remember seeing Lia at the game, but I’ll bet she was there, or really wanted to be there.    

Some of the girls' parents were up in the grandstand under a tent.  Kelsey Horton's mom was there waving a posterboard of her awesome daughter.  I assume she's fully recovered from her cancer.  The Seattle U Redhawks team came in to watch the championship as well.  Some of the other teams in the field came in later.  On field, Coach Kathy Rodolph was super casual in a t-shirt and shorts.  Pan-Am PA Ed was doing the announcing for this game.   There were kids out for this game, who shagged the foul balls.

Most interestingly in the crowd was a surprise appearance by Aggie sports power couple, Jordan Abalos and Dalton Herrington (representing volleyball and football respectively).  Given that they're both seniors, and I know Jordan already graduated, I didn't think they'd still be around campus.  Jordan was dressed for graduation in some lovely evening wear.  My heart absolutely sank watching her.  She had a noticeable hitch in her step and could barely negotiate the stairs.  When I'd asked her about her injuries while getting her autograph a couple of years ago, Jordan said she'd have problems the rest of her life.  I didn't imagine she'd be hurting this soon.

Here we go.  Four days and nine games and it comes down to this.  The girls, especially Grand Canyon, must be exhausted.  I know I am and I was just watching.  But right here and right now, nobody's tired.  Everybody wants to see how this is going to turn out.

Kayla Green started again for the Aggies.  She caught a liner to start the game, but gave up a pair of hits.  Sierra Smith would double in a run to give the Lopes a 1-0 lead.  Brianna Aguilar started for Grand Canyon.  She hit Rachel Rodriguez to lead off.  She got moved to third by a Kelsey Horton double.  Nikki Butler was also hit to load the bases.  Victoria Castro, who's had a bit of a rough tournament hitting, made a surprise bunt.  This drove in Rachel to tie the score at 1.

Kayla gave up a leadoff hit to start the second, but no further damage.  A local weekend sports guy that I usually watch, Eric O'Brien, came in in the bottom.  He's a handsome fellow on TV.  In person, he's even more so.  I'd be swooning if I were a woman.  Caity Szczesny and Rachel both walked with one out to bring up Kelsey.

Eric scrambled to get his camera up and on when she was announced.  He knew who she was and what could happen.  This time, Kelsey singled to left and Caity sped home.  There might have been a play at the plate, but the left fielder didn't throw it in.  Fahren Glackin singled next to load the bases.  Nikki then came up and hammered a deep single.  Rachel and Kelsey scored.  Nikki got hung up between first and second, but she'd done her job.  4-1 Aggies.

I'd left my umbrella at home, since I was expecting wind and a crowd.  I was also really hoping this wouldn't go to an eleventh game.  If the Aggies lost this one, they’d have to play again so that one of the teams would end up with two losses.  I wasn't prepared to be out in the sun that long.  I did bring a towel that I used to cover my face and neck.  The wind blew the towel around enough that it was almost as much trouble as an umbrella.  At this time, the wind picked up and began swirling.

The top of the third started with three straight hits.  Nikki did pick off the first batter.  I think she wanted that one after not being able to get a runner on an infield hit earlier.  Coach Kathy had seen enough though and pulled Kayla for Samaria Diaz.  Hot-hitting Sierra didn't care who was pitching and cranked a three-run homer to tie the game at 4.  (Eric got that one on tape.  I saw it later on the news report.)  

Sam walked the next batter.  Rachel had the Aggies' first error of the tournament to put another runner on.   Disaster was in the making, but the next batter made the mistake of hitting it to sure-handed Jeanelle Medina.  She caught a liner and doubled off the runner at second to end the inning.  The bottom of the Aggie order went down in order to end the third.

Eric tossed some little souvenir balls into the crowd and packed up and left.  It's too bad.  There were definitely more highlights to come.  Sam had a quick fourth.  In the bottom, Rachel got on again; this time with a single.  Her main job was to get on ahead of Kelsey.  It'd been a game and a half, and Kelsey was due for a home run, which she cashed in on in ballistic fashion.  Rounding the bases, Ed announced that Kelsey had just set the Aggie season record for home runs at 25.  (By the end of the tournament, Kelsey also led nation in home runs.  She's so awesome.) 

Fahren walked next, also being an on-base machine.  Destiny Blueford pinch ran for her.  Nikki singled and Brandy Hernandez pinch ran for her.  Tori singled Destiny in, who just got in thanks to her speed.  Shelby Shultes pinch hit.  She struckout, but the catcher had to throw her out at first after dropping the ball, which advanced the runners.  On a wild pitch, Brandy just made it home under the tag.  It was a great run, though I was afraid her minute form wouldn't reach the plate first.  8-4 Aggies.

Sam started off the fifth with a single and a hit batter.  With Sierra again coming up with two on, Coach Kathy put in Mikayla Bongi.  She had not been used much during the season, so this was a bit of a surprise in such a tense situation.  Mikayla gave up a double to Sierra, which scored a run.  Bianca Boling came up and hit a dying liner to left.  Amy Bergeson dove for it and got the catch, saving two runs for the moment. 

Mikayla was left in and the coach seemed to be playing with fire, given that she had more experienced pitchers available.  A sacrifice and a single did bring in two more runs before a groundout ended the inning.  Three runs scored and it was now 8-7 Aggies, but Mikayla had gotten three outs.

Rachel got on yet again in the bottom of the fifth, via a fielder's choice, after Brianna had come out of the game.  Though there were two out, Kelsey was walked.  Fahren made the Lopes pay anyway with a run-scoring double.  9-7 Aggies, but no lead felt safe today.  The regular softball PA came on in the sixth, not to announce, but to sing.  He belted out Happy between innings and did a great job.  Ed introduced him, but I missed his name.

For the sixth, Analise de la Roca came in to pitch for the Aggies.  I wasn't sure if Coach Kathy was keeping her in reserve or reluctant to use her.  Analise had gotten roughed up the last time she was used against Grand Canyon late in a game, which cost the Aggies that win (4-13-18).  Regardless, the coach was emptying her clip and wanted to win now.  If this went to an eleventh game, I don't think I'd like the Aggies' chances. 

Analise gave up a lead off hit, but that was all for the inning.  In the bottom, Kennedy Johnson singled and Jeanelle walked behind her, but neither scored.  Analise was back out for the seventh.  Sierra led off and grounded out to Fahren at first.  Bianca flied out to Tori in center.  Finally, Shea Smith also grounded out to Fahren.  Aggies win 9-7 and their second WAC tournament in a row!     

I was totally okay with a non-dramatic ending.  I'd had plenty of softball this week and just wanted an Aggie win.  Neither team really collapsed like I thought they would.  The Aggies did come close to getting a blowout, as they left 9 runners on base.  This was a championship game between two equals. 

I was really impressed with Grand Canyon's 4-2 performance in the tournament.  They played in 6 of the tournament’s 10 games, but playing the Aggies twice was what did them in.  The Aggies simply took care of business, going 3-0.  I don't know what's keeping Coach Kathy Rodolph from taking any of the much more lucrative offers she must be getting, but these championships wouldn't be happening without her.  Please stay!

For the game, my GCU gameballs go to Loriann Olson for going 3 for 4 with 3 runs, and Sierra Smith for going 3 for 4 with 5 RBI's and a home run.  For the Aggies, Analise de la Roca had a great two-inning save.  Rachel Rodriguez reached base 4 times in 4 plate appearances and scored on all of them.  But the day and all our admiration goes to Kelsey Horton.  She went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI's and a home run.  What can you say?  Typical Kelsey.

   

Danny left right after the win.  I barely got to say “Goodbye” to him.  I wanted to go to see the ticket girl, but had to see the post-tournament awards first.  I'd also get to see the WAC Girl one more time.  The All-Tournament team included Olivia Fluehr from UMKC, who I could have seen winning the MVP if her team had won the championship.  Cute little Kaylee Bott from Utah was also recognized.

GCU got four players on the team: Brianna Aguilar, Bianca Boling, Kendsey Hill, and Sierra Smith, who was a definite MVP candidate.  For the Aggies, Nikki Butler, Kennedy Johnson, and Rachel Rodriguez made the team.  The tournament MVP was a no-doubter in Kelsey Horton.  She went 7 for 11 (over .600) and drove in 9 runs including 3 home runs.  She's still a junior.  We still have another year to fawn over her greatness.  I keep hoping for the opportunity to talk to her for a minute, but I may be too overawed at this point to do so if I could.    

Back at the t-shirt tent, the ticket girl was still there.  She was not able to go for dinner, but we did exchange numbers.  I called and left a message the next week, but didn't hear back.  This was my biggest disappointment of the tournament without a doubt.  We hope this still might work out.  While I was at the tent, AD Mario Moccia walked nearby and I think he waved at me.  I didn't see anyone else around.  I'm sort of puzzled if he did, but awesome year, Mario.  You're doing a great job for New Mexico State sports. 

This tournament recap almost went 40 pages.  Perhaps more than the heat, I dreaded the prospect of writing all this up.  Thankfully, at least the first seven games were fairly effortless.  The last three, not so much.  The catch-up I've been doing at work has probably worn me out more than the recaps, not to mention some rejection depression. 

I don't think I can sum all this up in a few sentences even if I was coming at this fresh. I had a great time at the tournament.  All the girls really played hard and with passion and emotion.  I fruitlessly wish that the facilities at the softball complex were more comfortable.  I'm really glad I still had a couple more days of vacation to recover afterward.  There's no telling the future, but I really hope to continue being able to go out the softball park.  If the tournament's here again next year, I don't think I'll be able to resist.   

WAC Softball Tournament 2018 Game 9 GCU vs UMKC

WAC Tournament Posts

During the last game, Aggies Nikki Butler and Jeanelle Medina came in and joined Kennedi Sorenson and Mikayla Bongi sitting at the table behind home plate.  Kennedi and Mikayla left at the end of the game.  As I went down to use the bathroom before the next game, I could not resist going over to congratulate Nikki on her tremendous performance in Game 7.  I’d picked the right time as both girls were in a good mood.  I got to tell Jeanelle again how much I appreciate her fielding (she also drove in two runs in that game).    

The Grand Canyon fans had really worn me out in the last game.  The worst was a guy banging on the metal bleachers with his heavy wooden cane.  The UMKC fans came in and congregated in the center of the grandstand.  The sun had just about gone down and the wind had died down a bit.  The Lopes mostly stayed off the field during their allotted warmup time, probably having to change uniforms in a hurry.  The Roos were ready to go.  During the introductions, they started hopping. 

The Lopes picked up right where they left off.  They rapped out four hits and scored two runs.  The Roos were ready to hit too.  Kelsey Goodwin and Maegan Rollow both homered.  After the second home run, the GCU starter was pulled.  They brought in their cute little red-head, Alexa Coons, again.  She was greeted with a home run by Alyx Bloom.  When the dust cleared from that barrage, it was 5-2 Roos.

 

Olivia Fluehr came in to pitch for the Roos in the second, while still DP’ing.  The Lopes started off with a Kendsey Hill double.  She advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Laynee Gomez groundout.  5-3 Roos.  At one point, the ump was corrected on balls and strikes by the Roo bench.  He agreed and told them, “Thank you.” 

Sierra Smith hit a triple in the third for the Lopes, but came off the bag for the first out.  An Aggie Women’s Basketball assistant coach was in the stands with his family.  He made a good attempt at catching a foul ball that went over the net.  Those balls are hard to catch without a mitt.  The Bakersfield Roadrunners entered the stadium in the bottom to watch the game.  I guess all the teams made the accommodations to stay until Saturday.  The Roos threatened in the inning, but weren’t able to push across a run.

The fourth was another Grand Canyon batting practice inning.  Eight runs scored as the Lopes batted around.  Bianca Boling hit a two-run home run during the inning and an error did contribute to the scoring.  The Roos used three pitchers to get through the inning.  11-5 Lopes. 

The Roos had no answer in the bottom.  The Lopes continued their onslaught in the fifth with three more runs.  Another error contributed.  Roo first baseman Faith Willis at least may have had the play of the tournament.  On a popup by the base, she tripped and fell on her back, but still managed to make the play for the second out.  The Roos went quietly in the bottom and the game was run ruled.  14-5 Lopes was the final.

Lope Bianca Boling gets a gameball for her 3 for 3 performance with 4 RBI’s and a home run.  Brianna Aguilar did a good job in relief, locking down the end of the game. The Roos are the last to bow out before the championship game.  Yikes, Grand Canyon looks good.  They have shown some scary offense in this tournament.  However, the team they’re playing has done the same and already beaten them once.  Go Aggies!

With an early release and not having had dinner, I went to Jack-in-the-Box.  I had a coupon for free tacos, which are pretty good there.  I might have tried to start writing something, but instead sat down and ate and watched TV.  I was beat and wanted to decompress before tomorrow’s big game.  I talked to Ron.  He was happy about the Aggies playing in the championship, but wasn’t going to be able come, so I’d be on my own again.

Who’s going to win this?

WAC Softball Tournament 2018 Game 8 GCU vs Utah Valley

WAC Tournament Posts

I can’t remember what I did in between games.  I must have eaten, but I didn’t go out or to the concessions.  This memory loss is a bit scary.  Danny went out to his car.  When he came back, he said he’d chatted with diminutive Aggie Brandy Hernandez out in the parking lot.  Since the Aggies wouldn’t be playing for the rest of the day, I changed to the tournament shirt and showed the beautiful blonde that I’d bought it from and got to talk to her some more.

I do have one note from between games.  I had resisted writing any notes about this, but finally gave in here.  I mentally called her, “The WAC Girl.”  I must have been in the stands staring at her for most of this intermission as she stood on the field.  I’d been staring at her for the entire tournament every time she came into view.  Her job appeared to be recording the tournament for social media.  She was perhaps more fascinating than beautiful.  Unlike the stunning and charming ticket girl, this one challenged your definition of beauty. 

It was her hair that drew your attention first.  It was pure blonde.  It had a fine consistency, but flowing and perfectly tamed.  She wore it pulled back tight in a ponytail, pushed back with a hairband, and loose and parted to the side on succeeding days.  Her hair was flawlessly displayed in any variation.    

Her body was athletic, while well-curved.  Her wardrobe was minimal and stylish.  Her shorts and top were just to compliment her female form and ever-so lightly tanned skin.  As much time as she was in the sun with so much exposed flesh, she showed no sign of burn or overexposure. 

Her face seemed well-shaped with a clear complexion, but seemed uninviting.  She smiled seldom.  Her features too defined.  Her eyes were usually hidden behind sunglasses, her inner self obscured.  When the glasses came off, she revealed eyebrows that were either missing, or so fine and thin as to be invisible.  Her face seemed severe, nearly alien for this trait, but also exotic and intriguing.  

She’d appear with another WAC girl on field before play.  I saw her chatting with co-workers in the stands once, and she stayed in the pressbox once, but mostly she was alone.  She’d sit in the stands by herself for an inning or so and then disappear.  She never looked uncomfortable, only perhaps bored.  She watched play, but seemed uninterested.  Then she’d appear somewhere else around the stadium at the end of the game to record the final score on the scoreboard and any celebrations.  

After the games, she’d go update the big tournament board up front.  I watched her do it once.  I might have gone out to watch every time, if it wouldn’t have been so obvious.  She never sat anywhere close to where I was sitting, and going over to her seemed out of the question.  She was there at the end, handing out the trophies to the winners, somewhat impassively.  And that was the last I saw of her.  So all I’m left with in the end is the same question I had when I first saw her: Who’s that girl?

(Hey, I’ve been writing softball recaps for a few days.  I needed a mental break.  I’ll probably never see her again, so I wanted to remember her.)          

Spoilers here.  Don’t let the final score and the last inning fool you; this was a heavy weight championship bout of a game.  Both teams, the Wolverines and the Lopes, stood toe-to-toe and traded knockout blows until one team succumbed and fell.     

This was a hard fought game right from the start.  Wolverine Linnah Rebolledo made a great diving catch in the first.  Lope Laynee Gomez stole second, but was hit by a ball on the play hard enough to be heard in the stands.  Sierra Smith and Shea Smith combined to drive in two runs.  GCU 2-0.  The Wolverines started the bottom of the first with three hits.  Peyton Angulo drove in a run. 

Then my girl Basia Query came up.  Kaboom!  A three-run homer!  I could finally stand up and openly cheer for her.  The Utah Valley bench erupted.  The GCU starter was given a quick hook.  Brianna Aguilar relieved her and finished the inning.  4-2 Wolverines.  As Basia came back out to catch, her dad went to the fence and talked to her for a moment.  I think it was some coaching advice, but hopefully he worked a “Nice swing,” into the conversation.

Linnah made another good play at short in the second, as she made a stab stop and throw to third to cut down the lead runner.  However, the wind was not done with having a say in the game.  A flyball by Niki Gonzalez kept going backward in the breeze and fell between three fielders and drove in a run.  4-3 Wolverines.

In the third, the Lopes rallied again.  Behind a walk, a single, and an error, Jordan Keeton doubled in two runs to give GCU a 5-4 lead.  To the top of the fifth, Basia called to the pitcher on a delayed steal and Lauren Spendlove would get the runner in a rundown.  In the bottom with two on, Lyndsay Steverson hit a hit drive shot to center that cleared the fence for a three-run homer.  There was a delayed reaction from everyone as it had seemed unlikely to go out.  7-5 Wolverines. 

The Lopes came right back in the sixth.  Sierra blasted a two-run shot into the trees in the right field.  This was even more impressive than the home run from Game 1, as this one went into the wind.  Tied at 7.  Skylar Cook made a great running catch in deep center to keep it tied and end the inning.

Aggies Kennedi Sorenson and Mikayla Bongi had come in earlier and were sitting up at the table behind home plate.  Kennedi was wearing a Utah Valley t-shirt.  Her mom joined her there.  Her sister Lexi Sorenson came in and worked a quick seventh.  The Wolverines threatened in the bottom, but a double play ended the inning.  Laynee made a great jump catch in center and then threw out a runner at second.  The GCU fans erupted.   

So, we went to extras again, but this time I was excited to see more ball between these teams.  The UMKC Roos had arrived and warmed up out beyond left field.  Some of them were watching at the wall and dancing to intermission music.  Unfortunately, the wheels completely came off for the Wolverines.  Lexi had done well against the bottom of the Lopes’ order, but the top all got on via a walk, an error, and a run-scoring hit by Niki.  Lexi got one out, but further gave up another walk and a two-run scoring single by Shea.

The Wolverines would have bring in two more pitchers (including the game starter) to end the inning as the Lopes batted around.  I could see Basia actually starting to cramp from squatting behind the plate so long this inning.  An Aggie fan wearing black leather left.  You’d think the heat would have caused him to leave much earlier to reconsider his wardrobe choice.  This half inning went on so long, I lost track somewhere.  I didn’t even have the number of runs correct.  It was 18-7 Lopes after an 11-run inning.  The softball scoreboard doesn’t even accommodate double-digit inning scores. 

I said earlier, that before Game 6 I was impressed with the Utah Valley coach.  Here’s where I found out I was right.  The Valley Girls sang out for the whole bottom of the inning from the dugout.  Reserve players came out and took all the at bats with the girls cheering for them.  18-7 Lopes was the final.  After the teams shook hands, the Utah Valley coaching staff gave each of their girls a hug before they left the field. 

I’m giving Basia Query a gameball because it’s my blog.  She also went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s and a home run.  She also didn’t collapse during that (roughly) 30-minute top of the eighth while catching.  Boy, am I unhappy to see her leave as the Wolverines have been eliminated. 

Brianna Aguilar went seven 2/3 in relief for Grand Canyon.  She gave up three runs, which was good enough until Lopes’ offense broke through.  For offensive gameballs, Niki Gonzalez went 4 for 6 with 2 RBI, and Sierra Smith had 4 RBI’s.  Three Wolverine errors also helped GCU scoring.

There was no rest for the Lopes.  The PA announced that the next game would start in 15 minutes.  This game had nearly run over its three-hour timeslot.  No chance of going out for a meal before the next game.  This one was pretty entertaining up until the end.  I’m looking forward to Game 9.

WAC Softball Tournament 2018 Game 7 NM State vs UMKC

WAC Tournament Posts

The good news was that I didn’t have to get up early.  The bad news was that this 1:00 game would be in full heat.  At least there was a breeze.  Actually, it was a stiff wind blowing in, and it was still hot.  The wind just made it hard to hold an umbrella to get shade from the sunlight.  In spite of all the time I’d spent sitting out in the sun yesterday, I felt rejuvenated today.  I’m not even sure I should say this, but I think the reason was that I didn’t do my usual morning exercises yesterday, because of the early start time for the games.  It’s almost like my exercising has been what’s keeping me worn out and tired all the time.

The attractive blonde ticker seller from yesterday had moved to the tournament t-shirt selling tent.  I had actually thrown out some shirts from my closet earlier in the week.  I had run out of room.  (How does someone so unfashionable have a full closet?)  I have more Aggie stuff now than I know what to do with.  However, I wanted to talk to her and didn’t want to totally waste her time, so I bought the tournament shirt.  It was worth it in that I’d finally properly introduced myself and got her name.  When I got home and took a good look at the shirt, I had to admit it was really nice.  So, it was a worthwhile purchase.  (I saw many people buying them, but not wearing them at the tournament for some reason.)

It wasn’t all good before the game though.  I sat down next to Danny again.  Right after we got settled, an older cowboy fellow carrying a couple of stadium chairs, lost his balance and fell backward down the grandstand stairs.  It all seemed to happen slow motion, but nobody around was able to react quickly enough.  The cowboy fell on Danny before he hit the steps. 

Paramedics showed up almost immediately, as they were on station nearby.  Amazingly, both senior citizens were okay.  The cowboy was laughing about it.  His wife wanted to make sure to recover the chairs.  Danny was okay and actually glad he was able to break the guy’s fall.  He spilled his Pepsi, but the cowboy bought him another one.  (I spilled my cup of water for about the third time this tournament and got it all over myself and my notes.)  The paramedics checked up on both fellows a couple a times during the afternoon.

It was another great crowd for the Aggies, in spite of the conditions.  Lia Mosher from the volleyball team was there.  I wonder if she’ll be able or allowed to play on the softball team next season.  If showing up here is an indication, she really wants to.  Women’s Basketball coach Brooke Atkinson was back.  An Aggie baseball player came in and sat nearby with an Aggie soccer player girlfriend.  They had team t-shirts on, but no numbers or names, and I didn’t recognize them.  Nice-looking couple.  Some of the Redhawks team was there.  (No sign of their coach or his rear end though.)

  

(Boy, was that an overly long intro.)  Kayla Green again started for the Aggies, who were the visitors for this game.  I’d heard that she had been seriously bummed out over her short start in the previous game.  I love watching her pitch, but I wonder if her thin frame is getting too worn out with her workload by this time in the season. 

 

Today would be Kelsey Horton versus the wind.  Round 1 in the first inning went to the wind, as she popped out to short.  The UMKC Roos started off with Sydney Garcia tripling and Ashlin O’Brien singling her in.  Kayla’s defense immediately picked her up with Jeanelle Medina catching a liner and then rest of infield combining for a double play on the next batter.  1-0 Roos. 

Nikki Butler led off the top of the second with a single and Brandy Hernandez pinch ran for her.  Victoria Castro singled her way on next.  Kennedy Johnson was again in the lineup as DP.  She hammered one to straightaway centerfield.  The wind was not playing any favorites though.  What looked like a sure home run blew right back in. 

Unfortunately, Brandy and Tori saw the situation differently.  Brandy thought the ball would be caught and tagged up.  Tori saw it was going to drop in and kept going and passed Brandy.  That’s an out.  The rally kind of died there.  That was a hard situation to judge, so I can’t blame either of them.  It also gives you an idea of how hard the wind was blowing.  Kayla struck out a pair in the bottom and appeared to be in a groove. 

In the top of the third, Rachel Rodriguez drew a walk to get to first.  Round 2 of Kelsey and wind again ended with the wind knocking down another sure home run to center into a flyball out.  I think she hit that ball as hard as she could too.  Surprisingly, Rachel tagged and went to second.  She was picked off once there, but they didn’t get her, and she still stole third. 

Fahren Glackin hit into an easy groundout to short, but I think the wind may have affected the throw, which sailed out the reach of the first baseman.  Rachel scored and Fahren went to second.  Nikki, another home run hitter, decided to cut down her launch angle and hammered a double, which brought Fahren in.  2-1 Aggies. 

In the bottom, the Roos continued to slap at the ball.  I think they’d decided beforehand not to fight the wind.  The Aggie defense looked good.   They cut down the lead runner twice on plays that other teams might not have attempted.  That sparkling defense continued in the fourth as the Aggies turned another double play.  Kayla got the third out looking and came out of the circle smiling.

Rachel singled her way on to start the fifth.  The wind had died down a little when Kelsey came up.  She fouled one a mile into the parking lot, but settled for lining a single.  Fahren singled, but ended up at second as Kelsey got thrown out trying to take third, but Rachel scored.  Nikki came up next and didn’t care what the wind was doing as she clubbed a two-run homer.  Amy Bergeson then singled and was doubled in by Kennedy.  6-1 Aggies. 

Kayla gave up a double in the bottom of the fifth.  She’d get two outs, but Faith Willis would drive in a run.  Sydney then homered to chase Kayla from the game.  Analise de la Roca came in in relief and finished the inning with a strikeout. 6-3 Aggies.

Top of the second, Caity Szczesny walked and then Rachel traded places with her on the fielder’s choice.  Kelsey versus the wind, Round 4.  This time she tried going opposite field, but flied out.  Rachel tagged up, deked the fielder, and then took second.  She was almost toying with them on the basepads today. 

Fahren must be living right.  She again hit into what should have been a groundout that turned into a run-scoring error.  Nikki came up and repeated her last at bat with another two-run homer.  9-3 Aggies.  Analise worked a scoreless bottom and caught a shoe top line drive. 

Amy and Kennedy got on to start the seventh.  Jeanelle then hit a hustle triple down left field line to drive them both in.  Caity doubled her in.  Kelsey drove in a run with a fielder’s choice.  Finally, Fahren doubled her in.  When the dust settled, it was 14-3 Aggies.  That would be the final score as Analise finished off the game.

The Roos were now eliminated, but Sydney Garcia had a great game, going 3 for 4 with an RBI.  Kayla Green flashed some of her good stuff today, but was hittable.  Some great defense and Analise de la Roca notching a couple of strong innings sealed the win.  All of the Aggie starters had a hit today.  Kelsey Horton lost to the wind, but still got a hit and drove in a run.  [Edit: In an interview later, she admitted she was trying too hard to set the school season record for home runs, which she was one away from in this game.]  This was definitely Nikki Butler’s day.  She accumulated a gaudy line of going 4 for 5 with 5 RBI’s. 

That’s two games with double digit runs for the Aggies.  They now breeze (see what I did there) into the championship round.  (I, on the other hand, had a bear of a time writing this.  I forgot that the Aggies weren’t the home team and had to do some rewrites.)  The Aggies’ opponent will be determined by the next two games.

On to Game 8.

WAC Softball Tournament 2018 Game 6 CSU-Bakersfield vs Utah Valley

WAC Tournament Posts

Danny and I retreated to his car during the intermission to sit in some air conditioning.  The sun was going down, so it would be getting cooler shortly.  We were sitting directly across from the practice field.  The Wolverines were there.  I got to watch my favorite, their catcher Basia Query, take batting practice off a tee.  I was really impressed watching the coach work with the girls there.  I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he seemed very calm and patient with them.

On the flip side of the coin, the Seattle U coach came by and talked to the Utah Valley coach.  Oh, boy.  Yeah, he was still angry about what had happened in his last game.  (I wasn’t really pleased either.  The umps were probably right, but performed badly.)  The Redhawk coach then accosted someone walking across the parking lot to tell him his story.  As we got out of the car to go back in, he was on his cell phone.  I might have been talking the hotel.  He was complaining to them as well about the game.

The van next to us was one of their team transports.  An assistant coach was inside staring blankly with a thousand yard stare.  She was probably not looking forward to being with the coach this evening.  Thankfully, she was driving.  Danny said the ejected player from the game was sitting in the back.  She was inconsolable.    

It wasn’t much better at the stadium.  The Redhawks were still up front waiting for their rides.  Some were crying.  Others were taking it better.  It was awkward.  I felt bad for them since their season was over.  While I was moving through the crowd, I noticed that beautiful, nice blonde ticket seller that I’d met at the baseball games was now manning the booth.  I stopped and chatted with her.  She’d seen the girls coming out crying and felt bad for them too.

Inside, I picked a seat high up on the left field side, which was blessedly in the shade (finally!).  As I was setting up my seat, I looked over the stands and noticed I could see into the rear of the visiting dugout.  Just as I was looking, one of the Utah Valley players walked in and took off her shirt.  I quickly averted my eyes and kept my back turned to that area until the start of the game.  Not so much because I didn’t want to look, but because I didn’t want to get thrown out.  I could not have seen what I thought I briefly saw as she took off her shirt.  That area is exposed to the entrance too.  Surely she just removed her jersey and still had an undershirt on.  (Even though that wasn’t what it looked like.)

Danny joined me and promptly angled his cushion to look directly in there.  He was amused during the game as he saw one of the girls running back there between innings to take a couple of bites out of a burrito.  Meanwhile, the rest of the crowd filed in.  With the stadium in shade and temperature going down, it was actually pleasant.  When the teams were about to be introduced, the PA played their fight songs.   

A good crowd developed for both the Wolverines and the Bakersfield Roadrunners.  I saw Basia’s mom and dad sitting nearby.  (She looks like her mom.)  Perhaps I should have gone over and introduced myself.  (Just kidding.)  A few of the Aggie girls came in.  Interestingly, Kennedi Sorensen has a sister on the Wolverines, Lexi.  Their parents were there rooting them both on.  Since Lexi is a pitcher and Kennedi is a catcher, they were probably hoping have an at bat against each other.  (It happened in that Sul Ross St baseball game against the Aggies.)  It was unlikely to happen in the tournament unless the game was a total blowout (and both teams obviously needed to be playing each other).   

Near catastrophe struck right at the beginning.  Both of my mechanical pencils ran out of the lead.  Lucky I still had my pen with me that I take notes with.  Using ink on a scorecard is a somewhat nerve-wracking experience.  I tried being as careful as possible, but I think both of my scorecards are off from the official scoring.  (So business as usual.  What else is new?)  I also nearly ran the pen dry doing this game. 

The Wolverines got a rally going in the top of the first, but it likely got snuffed on an out call for the runner leaving too early trying to steal.  In the bottom, I could see their cute red-head third baseman, Kaylee Bott, furiously fighting the descending sun in her eyes.  From an appearance standpoint, she looks good out there without a visor or sunglasses, but from a game standpoint, I would suggest using them. 

In the top of the second, Wolverine Madison Sisco had an honest at bat.  She walked away before the ump called her out looking.  In the bottom, Roadrunner Chris Hipa got hit by her batted ball was called out.  That may have short-circuited their promising inning. 

Arianna Felix made a great diving catch in the third, but the Wolverines finally broke through with a run driven in by an error.  An argument ensued and it momentarily looked like there’d be another ejection before cooler heads prevailed.  (My notes got real skimpy this late in the day.  No details.  Sorry.)  1-0 Wolverines.  In the bottom, a nearby fan started heckling the umpire.  The umpire turned around and glared at him.  A guy sitting next to him ducked, “I don’t want to get thrown out with you.”  After the inning, the ump took off his mask and looked back at the heckler.  He then smiled and laughed.  Apparently, the ump wasn’t taking the jabs seriously. 

In bottom of the fourth, the Roadrunners tied it, scratching out a run, partly thanks to an error.  Ariana Acedo drove in Hipa from second, 1 all.  Kaylee hustled a leadoff triple to start the fifth.  Linnah Rebolledo drove her in on a sac fly.  2-1 Wolverines.  In the bottom, the Roadrunners left three on base, who got on via two walks and a hit batter.  Roadrunner Karah Wiseman accidently hit Cydney Curran, her teammate in the on deck circle.  Cydney glared at her and pointed at the field.  Hit it that way!

The Wolverines threatened in the sixth, but came up empty.  In the bottom, Roadrunner Ariana was thrown out at second by Skylar Cook from centerfield trying to stretch a single.  Top of the seventh, ouch, Basia pegged Peyton Angulo with a liner, as Peyton was running to second from first.  It was unavoidable.      

Third base for the Roadrunners, Paige Johnson, had been a one-person cheering section during the game.  She was screaming and jumping on about every pitch when she was in the field.  The Utah Valley fans were getting tired of it.  They really got sick of her in the seventh when she doubled in the tying run.  2 all.  It was just what I wanted after a long day of softball, the last game going extra innings.  A double play took out the Wolverines in the eighth.  The Roadrunners threatened, but didn’t score in the bottom.       

The top of the ninth was emotional.  For me, it was frightening.  A foul ball went over the net with some speed and headed right towards me.  It was like watching a big yellow cannon ball and was scary as hell.  It died before it got to me.  The guy who was ducking from the ump earlier tried to make a play on it, but didn’t come up with it.  I’m still having traumatic flashbacks.

At this point, I need to mention the Roadrunner starter, Summer Evans.  She was still in the game!  By the ninth, she was gassed.  The Wolverines finally broke through, starting off the inning with four straight hits.  By the time the coach finally came and got her, Summer had given up four runs.  Even then, she clearly didn’t want to come out.  Summer covered her face with her glove, crying, as she left the circle.  The entire crowd gave her a round of applause.  Cydney made a great diving catch on the infield to help end the inning.  6-2 Wolverines. 

The Roadrunners would score in the ninth on an error by Kaylee Bott and threatened to score more, but 6-3 Wolverines was the final.  Bakersfield was the next to fall out of the tournament.  Skylar Cook gets a gameball for her 3 for 5 performance for the Wolverines.  The star of the game though was Summer Evans for the Roadrunners.  Her 8 1/3 innings of pitching was easily the gutsiest of the whole tournament.  She only gave up two runs through 8.  I don’t know why the coach left her in for the ninth.  She deserved a better decision than a loss.

Well, that’s Day 2 of the WAC Softball Tournament.  It only took about 13 hours to play out.  (No, really.  I counted.)  I didn’t even think about doing anything like writing once I got home.

On to Day 3.

WAC Softball Tournament 2018 Game 5 Seattle U vs GCU

 

WAC Tournament Posts

Danny and I went for lunch between games.  We both saw a coyote walking around the small stream on campus.  I didn’t see him try to get into the game.  Maybe he was going to the graduation ceremonies at the Pan-Am.  We went to McDonald’s.  How did I end up at McDonald’s two days in a row when I haven’t been there in years (for good reason, their food isn’t good)?  Danny likes their coffee.  He says it’s good.  I got a Value Menu chicken sandwich, which as okay.  Once again, I gorged on Powerade to counteract the fluid loss from the heat.

This game between the Redhawks and the Lopes was going to be the first elimination game of the tournament.  The game started at 4:00, so there was still plenty of hot sun.  It did occasionally duck behind a cloud to give some relief.  The SU fans and GCU fans may have been about equal.  Both groups would prove to be passionate.

The Redhawks got the scoring started with a two-run homer by Madison Cathcart in the first.  After the home run, the t-shirt toss caught a fan by surprise as a shirt landed in her lap.  She wasn’t even signaling for one.  The Lopes turned a double play to end the inning.  2-0 Redhawks.  Grand Canyon’s first batter ran into a batted ball and was called out.  In the third, the same thing happened to a Seattle batter.  The fans on both sides were grumbling at the home plate ump. 

The Redhawks loaded the bases in the fourth on three singles.  The first out came on a play at the plate, and two more groundouts ended the inning.  Grand Canyon also loaded the bases on three hits in the bottom.  They almost lost a runner at home plate earlier, but she made it back to third as the bases weren’t loaded at that point.  Kendsey Hill singled in two runs next, with Jordan Keeton singling in another.  The girls in the GCU dugout then performed some sort of strange ritual.  I think they were throwing love out to the batters.  3-2 Lopes.

Madison worked a walk with style in the fifth.  With three straight balls on her, while the pitcher was starting to throw, she dropped her bat and started jogging to first.  The Redhawks threatened, but didn’t score.  In the bottom, Niki Gonzalez struck out, but made it to first on a passed ball.  This would be costly.  Bianaca Boling hit a two-run homer to make it 5-2 GCU.

Oh, boy.  Here we go.  I said there was a big controversy in this tournament.  We’ll try to piece this together.  Madison singled.  Bailey Thompson singled.  Nicole Bolasky singled to load the bases.  Madison scored on an error and Bailey went to third.  Nicole stole second.  Everything clear so far?  Susanne Morris hit a grounder.  There was a play at the plate and Bailey was . . .

The home plate ump never made a call.  Unsurprisingly, both groups of fans were up in arms.  The umps called a conference and came back with a decision.  Bailey was out at the plate.  That seemed sort of obvious.  Further, Susanne, the batter, was also called out.  You’re scratching your head.  I don’t know what happened.  Did the runner at home interfere with the catcher?  Did the batter step out of the baseline?  I didn’t figure it out while I was there.  [Edit: The official scoring was also completely cryptic.]

The Redhawks coach did not take this well.  Neither did their fans.  The ump ejected the coach, but had to live with the fans.  Danny and I were seated on the left field side by the SU fans.  It got a bit uncomfortable.  Danny thought he noticed the coach coming back into the stands in disguise later.  Then there’s what I heard the next day after Danny had heard some gossip.  The coach had actually mooned the umps, which was what got him run.

After the theatrics, Sara Dominguez singled in Nicole to make it 5-4 GCU.  In the bottom, Kendsey came up big again with a two-run home run dagger.  The final score was 7-4 Lopes.  The Redhawks became the tournament’s first casualty.  It didn’t end easy.  Maddy Kristjanson struck out looking to end the game.  She immediately started arguing with the umpire, who ejected her and then walked away.  Maddy went back towards the dugout, threw down her helmet, and then burst into tears.      

Redhawk Madison Cathcart gets a gameball for going 3 for 3 with 2 RBI’s.  Kendsey Hill gets a nod for GCU for going 3 for 3 with 4 RBI’s.  Brianna Aguilar pitched all seven innings for the Lopes, only giving up 4 runs.  It was a good game with some lousy umpiring.  Even if they’re making the right decisions, they weren’t making the decisions clear to the fans.  As others there said, “They lost control of the game.” 

My goodness, it’s been a long day to this point and there’s still a game left.  Can Game 6 possibly top this?

WAC Softball Tournament 2018 Game 4 UMKC vs Utah Valley

WAC Tournament Posts

        

Between games, I wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t bother leaving for lunch.  I noticed a line of parents waiting for the Aggie team to exit their clubhouse.  I was a bit more intrigued by a little spot of shade by a pillar that was nearby.  I plopped down there and worked on my scorecards.  After the girls left, the Utah Valley girls came by to use their dugout for the game.  Yes, I saw my favorite, Basia Query go by.  We exchanged an awkward a smile and wave.  I’ll treasure the moment forever.

We hit peak hotness on the field.  In this case, I’m referring to the temperature, though metaphorically Basia also brought the heat.  Looking at my extremely skimpy notes, I’m thinking I wasn’t in the mood to write while sitting under a hot sun.  There was no escaping it.  Danny moved to a position in the center grandstand directly behind home plate.  I was glad to sit there too so I could watch Basia at work. 

While the Valley Girls were taking the field after being introduced, they fist-bumped the umps on the way out.  Right before the game, Basia shook hands with the home plate ump.  Entire team fist-bumps I haven’t seen before, but I think catchers usually greet the umpire.  I also learned during the introductions that I’ve been pronouncing her name wrong.  The singer from the 90’s that I liked with the same name pronounced it Basha.  In this case, it’s Baysha.  Now I’m curious where she got the name from.

 

I’m aching a little here over the exotic-looking catcher.  Let’s change topics.  The UMKC Roos looked really sharp in their uniforms.  Their pants were bright white with royal blue and gray tops.  The Valley Girls got good and loud in their dugout.  It may have been where I was sitting that I could hear them better than the Roos’ dugout.  A couple of Aggie girls came back to watch this game in spite of the heat.  

          

The scoring started in the second with Caragh Morris driving in Madison Sisco from third with a sac fly.  1-0 Wolverines.  In the top of the third with a runner on, Kaylee Bott made an error (ruled a hit) that let on another.  Then she had a mental error on the next play that loaded the bases.  (I hated writing that.  Kaylee looks awfully cute out on field.)  Kelsey Goodwin came up and tripled down the right field line, clearing the bases.  Olivia Fluehr followed that by doubling her in.  4-1 Roos.

The Wolverines came back in the bottom.  Lyndsay Steverson homered in herself and Peyton Angulo.  After another hit, Olivia took the field to pitch and finish the inning.  In the fourth, Lia Lombardini started the inning with a solo home run.  Kelsey Goodwin drove in another runner, who’d gotten on via an error.  6-2 Roos.

In the sixth, a hit batter, another error, and two fielders’ choices scratched out another run for the Roos.  I remember the infield yelling at the pitcher to throw to another base at one point, which she ignored.  Ah, I saw you working there Basia during the inning.  After one ball call, she turned her head to the ump and smiled, as she tried to sweet talk him.  (That would have totally worked on me.) 

The Wolverines would go out with a bang in the seventh.  Caragh absolutely bombed one to left field and hit the field house beyond the wall.  It was a great show of force, but the Roos would win it, 7-4.  This was a pretty good game, but hard to enjoy under somewhat harsh conditions.  I won’t say Utah Valley lost because of poor fielding, but three errors (and maybe more than that) didn’t help.  They were perhaps playing with some nerves.  Meanwhile, the last-seeded Roos just beat the number two seed.  They’re playing inspired.     

The fans got another break as we waited for Game 5.