Wolverines Head Into Spring Break Licking Their Wounds

There's only one thing you can say when you think you've turned the game around, but because of the dastardly act of one man, the game is changed against you in an instant.  And, that saying comes from the original, the best, Captain James Tiberius Kirk: "Khan!!!"  No doubt, like me, you felt like Kirk after the ump's call in the seventh inning of the second game.

While there were some positive signs in yesterday's two Spring Break Tournament losses, fans, players, and coaches of the West Potomac Wolverines could only be left wondering "what if."  They lost 8-4 to a Lake Braddock team that looks vulnerable in a rematch, and then were left high and dry on a controversial call by the first base ump in a 2-1 loss to Brentsville.

The Wolverines took a 1-0 lead against Lake Braddock, and, after falling behind 5-1, fought back to 5-4.  But the Bruins took advantage of a pair of West Potomac errors to post an 8-4 win.  I'm pretty certain that four runs is the most the Wolverines have scored against Lake Braddock in four seasons, so they can build on that during the two conference games.  Of course, Bruins fans would note that three of the Wolverine runs were unearned.

The catcher jumps up.  The runner slides

down.  It's like a page from "Go Dog Go."

The Wolverines scratched out seven hits in the six innings.  Hits were earned by Nikki Minnis (two singles), Raven Williams (a single), Jayne Orleans (a single), Grace Moery (a double), Harley Devine (a single), and Annabelle Miller (a single).  Nikki had two RBI, and Raven had one.

Grace raps a double to left.  It's unlikely

she rapped about it, but who knows!

In the second game, the Brentsville pitcher had a perfect game through five innings.  She has signed to play for the Michigan Wolverines, so the West Potomac Wolverines were getting a harsh look at a Division 1 pitcher in a Big Five conference.  Brentsville had gotten their one run from three singles in the first inning, and, even at 1-0, the game looked hopeless for the Wolverines.

This Lake Braddock hitter thought she had a single,

but Maddie Miller said, "not on my watch."

With one out in the sixth, everything changed.  A pinch-hitting Elizabeth Drotos laid down a bunt that the Brentsville pitcher threw past first.  With the first runner on courtesy of an error, Torie Bolger rapped the team's only hit for the game to right center.  Elizabeth alertly went to third on the hit (be alert -- the world needs more lerts!).  Nikki tied the score at 1-1 with an RBI on a fielder's choice that turned into an error.  Grace reached on an error by the pitcher.  Suddenly, it was bases loaded.

Nikki and Grace celebrate Grace's tag/throw

double play to stop a Brentsville threat.

After a fielder's choice at home, the wind choose a bad time to die down.  A twisting fly to right nestled into the outfielder's mitt, instead of being pushed down and closer to the line by the wind. This cost West Potomac at least two runs.

Brentsville scored their first run on this bloop hit.  They

scored their second run on a questionable call

Then came the controversial call.  After an error to put a Brentsville runner on, the next two batters moved the runner to second and then third.  A slow roller by a lefty hitter meant a bang-bang play at first.  The umpire called safe and the run scored.

Torie rounds first on her single

as Elizabeth heads toward third.

The old playground saying that the "tie goes to the runner" is simply not true.  The rulebook says the runner must beat the ball to the bag.  The play sure looked (and sounded) like a tie -- which should be an out, with the inning over, and no run scored.  Instead of an international tie breaker extra inning game, the Wolverines suffered their third loss in a row.

A cynical blogger would point out that this should be an asterisk game -- and that the Wolverines should be credited with a 6-2-1 record.  But, I'm not going there.  Not going to bring it up.  Nope.

Olivia makes a nice running catch in left.

Jayne pitched well for the doubleheader, going thirteen innings and giving up seven earned runs.  She whiffed nine batters and issued three walks (none in the second game).  She gave up 12 hits to Lake Braddock and only "seven" to Brentsville (hit number seven was the blown call at first).

The Wolverines turned two double plays, one in each game.  The plays were eerily similar.  With a runner on first, a grounder to second turned into a tag and throw to first for the twin killing.  The first game it was Harley to Raven, while the second game was Grace to Caroline.  Maddie Miller took away a hit on a sure single to right by nailing the Bruin runner at first.  She also made an impressive running catch in right field during the second game to steal a hit.  Olivia Manous fought the wind and won in left field, making a nice backhanded running catch of a dying quail.

(Editor's Note: Call off the ASPCA.  No birds were harmed in the making of that catch -- it's an old baseball expression, and believe me, the reporter writing this blog post IS old.)

Wolverine Whispers: After all those games the last two weeks, take the rest of the week off.  On opening day for the Nationals, which is also the same day the NCAA championship, the Wolverines will have a practice for the first time what seems like a month!

The schedule now goes to a more sane two games per week pace, with the games generally being a Tuesday and Friday schedule.  TC Williams comes back to West Potomac for the resumption of conference play on April 7th.

See you there!
 

Doubleheader Split Leaves Wolverines With Cold Feeling

The West Potomac Wolverines found out that playing back-to-back games with wind chills in the 20s makes their bats go cold and the six game win streak end.

Pregame, the cold didn't seem to matter much.

The Wolverines split a doubleheader Saturday in the alleged Spring Break Tournament, beating T.C. Williams 5-2 and falling 4-0 to the Lee Lancers.  The Wolverines are now 2-1 in the so-called Spring Break Tournament, which is being sued for false advertising, as there is nothing spring about it.

Jayne's so tough she didn't wear a sweatshirt.

Or a hat. Or a down jacket. Or ski pants.  

As the saying goes, it was colder than a witch's toe.  To paraphrase Yukon Cornelius, it was a day not fit for man, beast, nor softball player.  After the original schedule was shifted, West Potomac ended up playing back-to-back games.  The team could not shake the funk of the cold and were shutout. The team is now 6-1 on the season.

Early polar explorers liked to play catch as a way to pass the time.

Last season, a couple of low-scoring wins against the Titans announced the T.C. Williams was in the process of turning their softball program around.  Saturday's tight game underscored that today's Titans are not the same bumbling team of yore.  They can pitch and field much better than in seasons' past.

Harley gloves a pop up for the

first out of the first inning.

Although the game was at West Potomac, the Wolverines lost the coin flip and were the visiting team.  The games were able to be played because our friend Tarpy saved the day.  (How many players and coaches does it take to remove Tarpy?  Apparently a lot more than one!)

It was 102 for the high in Death Valley yesterday,

and -9 for low in Saranac Lake, NY.  We're

closer to NY than CA.

Nikki Minnis led off the game with a walk, and then stole second.  She was held at third on Olivia's single to left, but did not score.  It was the first time this season West Potomac did not score a run in the first inning.

The Titans went down one-two-three in their half of the first.  That sequence was repeated for the next three innings, as pitcher Jayne Orleans did not allow a baserunner until the fifth inning.

It's not a stretch to say the Titan runner is out.

The left side of Wolverine defense had 15 assists

in the two games.

In the second, Harley Devine doubled to center, and then scored on Jayne's double off the fence in left.  After Megan Jackson walked, Nikki reached on an error by the first baseman.  Grace Moery hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 2-0.

Olivia led off the third with a single, went to second on a wild pitch, but did not score.  The usually opportunistic Wolverines were stung by the cold or something, as several times during the game they failed to challenge the Titan arms by taking extra bases.

In the bottom of the third, Megan made the best Wolverine catch so far this season, diving into a mud patch in left to snare a sure single.  Megan slid a good four feet, and came up with mud covering her pants, including a left leg that had not a clean inch on it.  Even though Megan had mud on her face, because of that catch, she wasn't a big disgrace (which I mention simply because it allows me to link to this video)

(Have you ever dressed for work like Freddy Mercury did in that video?  Yeah, me neither.  Sigh. One big break away from being a rock star.  Well, one big break and some actual musical talent.)

Megan comes racing in. . .

Draws a bead on the ball. . .

She makes the catch!

Megan was one tough mudder on that play.

So, in the top of the fourth, Caroline Bowman became the first pinch hitter to bat because of clothing. Megan was both leading off the inning and searching for pants that were not frozen to her by mud.  So Caroline singled, went to second on Grace's beautifully placed bunt single.  The two moved up on a wild pitch.  Caroline scored on Raven Williams' RBI groundout, and Grace made it home on Olivia Manous' RBI single.  It was now 4-0.

Through the four innings, Jayne had thrown just 37 pitches, with 29 of them for strikes.  The cold wasn't bothering her.  The Titans led off the fifth with a ringing double to break up the perfect game.  A series of errors and other strange plays led to two Titan runs,  The threat was ended by a strikeout, but the key play was the boring old 8-3-5 putout.  A Titan single to center, and Grace came up throwing to the plate.  Raven alertly (be alert, the world needs more lerts!) cut the throw and fired to Annabelle for the tag of another runner.

In the sixth, the Wolverines clawed one of the runs back, as Nikki singled, advanced to third on a later error, and scored on Raven's sac fly to left.

Jayne cruised through the final two innings, giving up just one harmless single in the sixth, for the win.

Kristi insisted on grilling.  The rest of

us later realized it was the warmest

spot outside in the entire DMV.

The rest of us are slow that way.

For those new to the blog, Wolverine losses do not get written up with the same length or frivolity of wins (thankfully, West Po wins most of their games).  So, to sum it up, Lee scored four runs, three off the bat of one player who had two doubles and one home run.  Lee only had one more hit than the Wolverines, but the Lancers had four extra base hits and West Po had just five scattered singles.

Christina Dillard was the starting pitcher for the first time this season, but when the Wolverines are held scoreless, it's hard to pin the loss on her.  The Wolverine hits came from Raven (two), Nikki, Torie Bolger, and Megan.  West Potomac had loaded the bases once, had two base runners in three other innings, but couldn't push one run across.

Wolverine Whispers: Monday's high is projected to be a rainy 62.  Hopefully rain will be light or non-existent, and Tarpy could once again save the day.  The Wolverines play at noon and 4pm. Tuesday is a make-up day.

The game against Lake Braddock is at noon, while the 4pm game features a team we haven't played in five years I've had a daughter on varsity -- Brentsville.

West Potomac Beats the Storms and the Atoms. Then Splits

The West Potomac Wolverines needed just five innings to improve their season record to 5-0 with a 17-2 win over the Annandale Atoms.  This improves the West Potomac conference seven record to 2-0.

The end of the game came just in time.  Within moments of Raven Williams snaring a smacked line drive for the last out of the game, the rain started coming down in buckets (not literally, because that would, you know, hurt).

The most stunning aspect of the evening was that it was not freezing, a sentence I won't be able to write about Saturday's doubleheader.  Dads showed off their pasty legs by wearing shorts for the first time since the fall (I'm talking about the season, not Adam and Eve, although the winter has been so long it seems about the same length of time since either event).  Daughters in the dugout weren't shivering for the first time this season, and moms remained unflappable regardless of the weather.

The game was pretty one-sided -- the Wolverines had ten hits and fourteen walks.  The Atoms only had eight baserunners, with five hits, two walks, and one hit batter.  It's kind of hard to come up with a humorous theme for a game that featured Wolverines getting four more free passes than hits.  The score could have been even worse had Coach Craig "The Big Manig" Maniglia not called off the dogs Wolverines.

A group of wolverines is called "a pack."  A group of

wolverines inside a pitcher's circle is called "a pack

inside a pitcher's circle."  We learn so much from this blog.

(By the way, it's not a complaint about the number of walks -- our hitters need to keep their batting eye, not get frustrated and swing at pitches outside the strike zone.  They were successful at staying patient.  It's just not the most compelling action to write about, as you will see below.)

Science humor alert:
Q: Why can you never trust atoms? A: They make up everything!  (So, I'm pretty desperate right now, as you can tell.)

Harley is still getting used to the

switch from catcher to second.

(Psst: The glove goes on your HAND!)

The Wolverines have scored at least one run in their first at bat in all five regular season games.  Last night's first inning run was probably the most unusual of the bunch.  With one out, Grace walked.  She went to 2nd on a passed ball, and scooted to 3rd on a wild pitch.  After Raven Williams walked, with Grace on third, Raven ran to steal second.   

As Raven was taking second, Annandale tried a deception, that, in the annals of trick plays, won't go down in history.  The catcher threw to the charging shortstop in an effort to lure Grace to her doom off third.  Except the throw ended up in left field, allowing Grace to charge home and Raven to move to third.  So, the Wolverines scored to lead 1-0 by earning two walks, taking advantage of a passed ball, a wild pitch, and an error.  

Grace scores the first run of the game.  

She only scored three more times in the 

game, as the Annandale strategy of

keeping her from scoring five times

was highly successful.

Jayne celebrated her 18th birthday with a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts and a nice grab of a grounder by Raven.

Annabelle makes an acrobatic play. . . Of a foul ball.

Science humor alert:
Two atoms are walking down the street.
Says one atom to the other, "Hey! I think I lost an electron!"
The other says, "Are you sure??"
"Yes, I'm positive!
(Reporter: That one wasn't bad!  Editor: Maybe by your standards.)

Then things got interesting.  Well, no.  Not right away.  First there was the always exciting walk to Torie Bolger, followed by tension-heightening walks to Harley Devine and Jayne.  With one out, Nikki hit a sac fly to make it 2-0 without the actual logging of a hit.  So with two outs, the game was in danger of going into a bit of a torpor. 

Elizabeth scores the second run.

Harley scores the third run.

Natalie scores the fourth run.  (Are you nervous I 

have pictures of all 17 runs and I might include them all?)

But then Grace smacked a three-bagger to drive in two runs, Raven lined a run-scoring double that went to the fence, and Annabelle Miller eventually singled her in.  Finally some action that involved bat striking the ball and then hitting grass.

Grace fully sliding into third with a triple.  

(Quick, say the sentence really fast.  Get it?

Man, I crack myself up sometimes.)

Science humor alert:
A neutron walks into a restaurant and orders a couple of cokes. As she is about to leave, she asks the waiter how much she owes.  The waiter replies, "For you, No Charge!!!"
(See, a neutron. . .oh never mind.)

Annandale got a run back in the top of the second, but any threat of a rally was ended by a 6-5-3 double play.  With runners on first and second and just one out, Nikki fielded a grounder, went to Annabelle, who threw across to Raven to complete the twin killing.

"Go ahead, make my day!"

(For those worried it is an unsportsmanlike

caption on my part, it's a Clint Eastwood

homage.  Everyone over age 50 knows that!)

(By the way, two things jump out when you watch this clip.  First, the overt racial division in the scene -- it was the 70s, and that would never be used in a movie today.  Second, Clint only paid a dollar for a cup of coffee.  Starbucks would never allow THAT to be used in a movie today either.)

The third inning passed without either team making news.

The Wolverines padded their lead in the fourth.  The team's table-setters both got on to lead off the inning; Nikkie with a single to left center and Grace with a walk.  Olivia walked to load the bases.  Annabelle drove in a run with a fielder's choice for the second out.  Torie followed the Wee Wee Keeler advice of "hit 'em where they ain't" and dropped a single over first base to drive in two more runs.  Suddenly it was 9-1, as the clouds were continuing to gather.

Science humor alert:
What did one charged atom say to the other? I've got my ion you.
(With prom season coming, I HAD to run that one!)

Christina Dillard came in to pitch the fourth.  After two quick outs, two Annandalians (Annandalites?  Annandalistas? Annandalers? Annandaleish?.  . .I'm not going to sleep tonight unless I  figure this out!) reached first and second, but Nikki made a nice running catch of a liner headed toward center field to end the modest threat.

The Atoms imploded in the top of the fifth.  The first eleven Wolverines reached base, and the inning only ended when Coach Craig went to bunts and gave up intentional baserunning outs.  

Micaela Neulight reached on an error by the third baseman.  Nikki singled to left.  Grace earned another free pass (her third of the night, to go with a triple) to load the bases.  Raven doubled deep to drive in two more.  Olivia walked, Annabelle singled to right to score a run.  Natalie Lerner walked, Elizabeth Drotos walked, Christina walked, Micaela had an infield single to score a run, and Nikki bunted in a runner to make it 17-1.

Nikki scores the 11th

run of the game.

Annabelle scores the 15th run of the game.

(Sorry, I only have pix of six of the 17 runs 

being scored.)

Science humor alert:
Actually, none of the other atom jokes I could find are funny!
(Editor's Note: Like the ones you included are funny?  Man, this was a weak effort.  Reporter's Reply: Look, in my defense. . .well, actually I haven't got a defense.  These are terrible.).

Annandale scored a run, but the only thing that mattered at this point was to hope the rainstorm held off until the last out.  And it did -- and no longer than just after the last out.

Annabelle is excited about Saturday's 

triple header.  The concession stand

will be open all day!  Her teammate is

trying to be sweet.  (Sweet Caroline --

now that's catchy!  I can make money off that!)

Wolverine Whispers: West Potomac plays TC Williams at 10am tomorrow (Saturday) and Lee at 2pm.   In-between, Lee plays TC at noon.  With temps projected to hit a "high" of 44 degrees, the Spring Break Tournament is being unofficially renamed the Arctic Blast Tournament.  With all three games at West Potomac, parents are encouraged to stay for the entire tripleheader, as it will give the training staff invaluable practice at dealing with cases of frostbite and hypothermia. 

As an added bonus, the bounce from 70 degrees plus yesterday to mid-40s tomorrow and 60s/rain on Monday significantly lengthens the cold and flu season.  As a result, I've bought stock in drug stores, so don't feel bad if you get sick, you are helping me pay for our daughters' colleges.  (Thanks!)

The glove highlights last night were turned in by Nikki, Annabelle, and Raven.  Nikki made a running catch of a liner to split a modest rally by the Atoms, and she started a double play to stop another one as well.  Annabelle was in the middle of the DP, while Raven caught a tricky liner to end the game.

RBIs were recorded by eight different Wolverines: Nikki (two), Grace (two), Raven (three), Annabelle (two), Torie (two), Natalie, Elizabeth, and Christina (actually, my notetaking during the 5th inning was not up to snuff, so one or two of these may be wrong, but they are correctable.)

Multiple hits were recorded by Nikki (three), Raven, and Annabelle (two each).  

Jayne pitched three innings with three Ks, three hits, and a hit batter.  Christina went two innings with three strikeouts, two hits and two walks.


   

West Potomac Slams Woodson

By Special Correspondent Cindy Jackson

On what was another cold March night, the West Potomac Wolverines showed their depth of a team, effectively shutting down the Woodson Cavaliers.  West Po worked the advantages presented to them, racking up 13 hits for the night and utilizing their 18 free passes to win 17-5.  The first conference game of the young season allowed the Wolverines to go to 4-0 on the season.

Sunshine on Harley's shoulders (It's a real  old

song, kids.  No, it's not rap, so you haven't

heard it.)

Olivia Manous (pronounced ma-NOOSE’ - yes, the announcer put the stress on the wrong syLLA’ble) was the offensive star of the game, going 2 for 3 with five RBIs – including a grand slam homerun far over the left field fence.  (Reporter’s note: none of these stats have been verified against Game Changer; this reporter was busy multi-tasking, splitting her attention between jotting down stats, taking photos, fielding a long-distance phone call from her mother in Kansas ((Editor's Note: Hi Cindy's Mom!)), and tackling a foot-long sub.)

The first three of Olivia's seven

total bases for the game.

West Po put their first run on the board in the top of the first. With 2 outs and a full count, Oliva (ma-NOOSE) drove the ball to deep right field, getting herself a stand-up triple and driving in Nikki Minnis who had walked earlier in the inning.

The Cavaliers got their first hit of the game in the bottom of the second with a single to deep right field. Any excitement this caused, however, was quickly extinguished on the next pitch when West Po catcher Torie Bolger gunned down the would be base stealer. Wham, Bam, No Thank You Ma’am. After two complete innings, West Po was up 1-0.

Christina deals

It was the top of the 3^rd when West Po decided to unleash on the Cavaliers, scoring 8 runs. Nikki started things off with a line drive single to left. Annabelle Miller got on a base with a walk, with Raven Williams coming to the plate. Raven drove it hard to left center, knocking in both base runners and getting 2 of her 4 RBIs of the inning. After hitting several mean foul balls down the third base line (this becomes important later), Olivia reached first on a walk, as did Torie and Harley.

Is Coach Lee scratching his ear or giving a sign?

He will never tell.

Megan Jackson then came to the plate with bases loaded, and ripped a line drive down the left field line, scoring two and easily making it to second base. After a few more walks, and then some fielder’s choice outs by the Cavaliers, Raven found her way back to the plate. She got her second hit of the evening, earning herself two more RBIs.

Some defensive changes were made in the bottom of the third. Caroline “C-Bow” Bowman took over first base, Christina Dillard took the mound, Micaela Neulight relieved Annabelle at third, and freshman Natalie Lerner made her Wolverine debut, coming in to replace Torie Bolger at catcher. Despite Christina’s two K’s that inning, the Cavaliers managed to put one run on the board. After 3 complete innings, West Po was up 9-1.

Elizabeth awaits the pitch.

Grace Moery ripped one up the middle in the top of the fourth, with Nikki following suit with a single to left. West Po added another run to their total, taking them up to 10 runs. Christina struck out two more in the bottom of fourth, leaving the score at 10-1.

If Dr. Seuss wrote this, he'd say that it is

Natalie at-batalie. But, you are stuck with me.

In the top of the 5^th, Olivia hit a hard grounder to the short stop. Easy out, right? Nope. Olivia beat out the throw, earning herself an infield hit. Natalie then got the first hit of her varsity high school career, by drilling a hard grounder down the first base line (did I mention she’s a lefty?). Both runners were left stranded, however.

Elizabeth Drotos entered the defense part of the game in the bottom of the 5^th, relieving Harley Divine at second base. Christina had another strike out, but the Cavaliers managed to put their second run on the board, making it 10-2 after five.

  

The girls learned earlier this season than last

not to fall for Coach Craig's "pull my finger" sign.

Not much happened in the 6^th. Then came the7th where the girls took it up a notch. Natalie led off the inning with a walk. Elizabeth Drotos then got a nice infield hit, and Megan walked. With the bases loaded, Christina drove it out to right field, earning herself 2 RBIs. Grace then hit a sacrifice fly to RF, with Natalie scoring after tagging up. (This gave Grace 3 RBIs for the evening.)

Nikki and Micaela both walked, once again loading the bases. Olivia then came to the plate. She once again starting drilling hard foul balls down the third base line. Despite his usual cat-like reflexes, Coach Craig “The Big Manig” Maniglia was unable to dodge all these bullets and took one hard on the leg. Clearly feeling bad about this, Olivia made it up to him by driving the next pitch deep to left center, easily clearing the outfield fence. It was a GRAND SLAM homer for Oliva, giving her five RBIs for the night and her first over-the-fence home run.

Her teammates greet Olivia AFTER

she touches home plate.  No 

South County repeat here!

The Cavaliers put up 3 more runs in the bottom of the 7^th, but it was nowhere near enough, but cutting the Wolverine lead to twelve was not cause for concern.

It was so cold Suzy Chapstick

made a promotional appearance.

(caption by David Orleans)

Wolverine Whispers:  The next game is Thursday night, which is either tomorrow night or tonight, depending on when you read this.  Of course, if you don’t read this till Friday, than it was last night, unless, of course, it gets rained out, in which case I have no idea when it is.  

Now that I’ve confused you, the game is 6:30 at Annandale, which you can remember all night and day by trying not to change the words of Billy Joel’s “Allentown” to “Well we’re living in Annandale, and they’re closing all the c-stores down, jerky and Coke, and stale hot dogs, and we’re waiting here in Annandale.”

(As you are trying to get my insipid lyrics out of your head, feel free to thank me.)

Saturday will be the second day of the Spring Break Tournament, except no spring will actually be involved, as highs are expected to be a brisk 44 degrees.

Along with Olivia’s five RBI, five other West Po’ers knocked in runs, including Raven with four, Grace with three, Megan with two, Christina with two, and Harley with one. 

For the pitching line, Jayne pitched two inning with a strikeout, and two hits.  No walks or runs.  Christina pitched the remaining five innings, earning eight strikeouts on only two walks. 

Wolverines Prove To Be Ram Tough, Defeats Robinson In Cliffhanger

This team is resilient.  This team is gritty.  This team finds a way to win.  This team is blending experienced leadership with fresh face optimism.  This team can take a punch, and then hit back harder.  This team is the 2015 Wolverine softball squad, and after three tense, taut games, it is undefeated.

Last night, West Potomac beat the Robinson Rams by a 5-2 count, in a game that, by all statistical measures, the Rams should have won.  But they didn't.  West Potomac lived on the edge, playing Muhammad Ali style rope-a-dope to Robinson's role as George Foreman.  It's the third straight game the opponents have cut the Wolverine lead to one run, and the third straight time West Potomac added some insurance runs to survive the threat.

Four of the team's senior leaders

Oh, it's not the prettiest 3-0 record, but it is the grittiest.  And given the weather, that's more than good enough.  And, all three of those wins have come against teams that are likely to post winning records in their own conferences.  This is not some easy non-conference schedule to pad their record. Beating the trio of Mt. Vernon, Yorktown, and Robinson (I was tempted to make some joke about history at Robinson's expense compared to Mt. Vernon and Yorktown, until I read this link.  You should read it too.)

This team is not playing its best ball right now, but it's early in season that, because of rainouts, makes it seem as though they are playing a wearying game per day.  The team is being tested right now, and is passing each test, revealing its true character.  They are opportunistic, making other teams pay for their mistakes, and maximizing their chances to win.

Usually it take more than two numbers to tell who won the game, but this time it only takes two. (Editor's Note: Actually, it only DOES take two numbers to tell who won the game.  It's called the score!  You know, the runs scored by the visiting team, and the runs scored by the home team?  Usually that's a pretty good indicator of the outcome.  It's why it's always in the first paragraph of a game story.  You know, except this article!  Reporter's Reply: Work with me here.  It's really the first appearance for Stat Boy this season.  Editor's Reply: Sigh.)

Those two numbers are 18 and 2.  The 18 is the number of (alliteration alert!) Robinson Ram runners who reached base.  Two is the number who scored.  Fourteen were LOB (left on base), and two were cut down by three perfect throws (one was a relay).  West Potomac was not as proficient at reaching base, but far more efficient at scoring when they did.  Their comparable numbers are 13 and five.  The former is the number of Wolverines to reach base, while the latter is the number who scored (hence the final score, for those of you having difficulty following along.)

The game turned on one batter.  Starting pitcher Jayne Orleans, after being sidelined all weekend with an illness, gutted out four innings without giving up a run, but ran into trouble with two outs in the 5th.  Christina Dillard came in to play Mariano Rivera.  With the bases loaded and two outs, the Wolverines clinging to a 3-2 lead, Christina blew a fastball by the Ram hitter for strike three on a full count.  The team was one pitch away from disaster, and the tall, lanky reliever saved the day with one pitch (well, three pitches!).

But, we're getting ahead of ourselves.  For the third time this young season, the Wolverines posted a crooked number in the first inning, slowly putting pressure on the pitcher and the catcher.  The two run lead came courtesy of three walks, a single, an error, a passed ball, and some daring running by two Wolverines.

Raven loops a first inning single to short right.

Grace Moery reached first on a walk, which was followed by a free pass to Annabelle Miller.  Raven Williams pool cued her fourth hit of the season just over the first baseman's head.  Grace noticed the 2nd baseman couldn't pick up the spinning ball, and streaked home on the error.  Moments later, Annabelle took a risk, racing home on a passed ball despite the narrow distance between home plate and the backstop.  It was 2-0.  Jayne nearly made it 4-0 with a bloop single to center, but the Robinson outfielder raced in to make an incredible diving ice cream cone catch.  It was the fielding gem of the season, and the lead remained two runs.

Annabelle races home with the second run

I gotta think this is the worst angle the ump could

take, but the call was correct, so no big deal.

In what turned out to be foreshadowing, Robinson stranded two runners in their half of the first.  The Wolverines went quietly in the second, with the highlight being a stolen base by Nikki Minnis after a base on ball.

(Editor's Note: Like hits, all real Wolverine stolen bases will be mentioned in blog posts.  However, it is NOT a stolen base when there are runners on first and third, and the defensive team does not throw to second.  That is an instance of the wonderfully named "defensive indifference."  Ah, but who cares? Reporter's Comment: Most readers are probably, um, indifferent to that.)

Robinson then left the bases loaded on three walks.  One of the walks came in one of the most incredible pitcher-batter duels this grizzled sports blogger has ever seen.  Batting lefty, the Ram took a strike, and then proceeded to foul off a dozen pitches before earning the walk.  For those reaching for your calculator, that's 17 pitches.  Jayne had to throw 13 strikes, and the Ram still worked a walk.

This is what one of twelve foul balls

looks like in just one at-bat.

In the top of the third, the Wolverines took advantage of a Robinson mistake to scratch out another run and go up 3-0.  Raven walked, went to second on a passed ball, and scored on Caroline Bowman's single to center.

The home half of the third went 1-2-3, and it appeared Jayne had found her groove.  The fourth inning saw Torie Bolger's whip a throw to Nikki to catch a Ram runner stealing.

Annabelle singled with one out in the fifth to end a streak of six straight West Potomac outs.  She made it to third on a passed ball followed by a wild pitch, but was left stranded.

The bottom of the fifth started out with the best fielding play of the season so far by the Wolverines.  The Robinson hitter cracked one to the wall in right center.  Grace threw to Harley as the Ram charged around second, steaming toward third.  Harley threw a perfect strike to Annabelle for the tag.  Bang-bang play -- and the umpire, just like every West Potomac parent, signaled out.

This play was not just Devine, it was divine.

Grace to Harley to Annabelle

The ump makes the same call I made.  Smart guy.

(They are always smarter when they agree with me).

After a walk, the next hitter flew out to center, and things seemed under control with two outs. However, Robinson had other plans.  They rapped back to back singles, plating their first run of the game.  Then two more walked, with the latter batter pushing the second run across the plate. Christina came in.  Suddenly it was a 3-2 count, with a 3-2 score.  Inhale.  Hold.  Christina got the strikeout.  Exhale.

Moments later, the ball smacked into Torie's

catcher's mitt.  Strike Three!  Breathe again!

West Potomac survived being on the ropes, and then hit back.  Hard.  Really hard.  Elizabeth Drotos worked a pinch hit walk.  Olivia Manous, also pinch-hitting, used her power and speed to knock a triple to the wall in the gap in right center for an insurance run.  Torie Bolger then bombed a double over the left fielder's head to the wall, making it 5-2.  Harley singled and alertly went to second on the throw, but the inning ended without further damage three batters later.

Olivia steams into third with an RBI triple.

Torie steamed into second with an RBI double.

Natalie Lerner keeps her foot on the bag.

Also, watch the decoy by the second baseman.

There were still six outs to go, and it was not easy.  A two base error with one out put pressure on. The Ram moved to third on a groundout, followed by a walk and defensive indifference (now you know what it is), putting runners at second and third.  The tying run was at the plate, but the Ram grounded to Annabelle, throw to Raven, and West Potomac only needed three more outs.

Megan Jackson earns one of seven

Wolverine free passes on the night.

Christina earned two quick outs -- a major league popout to Nikki, and a Harley to Raven.  With two strikes on the third hitter, Christina threw a pitch that caught the outside corner.  Game over!  No.  Ball.  Give the ump this -- he was consistent all night, not giving either team's pitcher the outside corner.  Given new life, and taking away one of mine, the Ram player singled to short center.  That was followed by a hard base knock to right.  Finally, a comebacker to Christina, she threw to first, and the team survived to win again.

Micaela Neulight preps to pinch hit.

As President George H.W. Bush once said, "Nobody said it would be easy, and nobody was right."

It wasn't the prettiest win, but it was the clutchiest.  (Editor's Note: No such word!)

Wolverine Whispers: In another week jammed-packed with softball (at least the girls don't have homework.  They do?  Not sure how they do it all!) West Potomac travels back to Fairfax tonight to take on the WT Woodson Cavaliers.  (First time softball parents, do not confuse Woodson with HB Woodlawn in Arlington.  Or with HD Woodson in Washington DC.  Or HB Quick's, which was a Roy Roger's knock-off back in the 1980s.  If you can get google directions to HB Quick's, your computer is more impressive than mine!).

There is also a game Thursday, and two on Saturday.  After these tight games, our beloved Team Rep is thinking of selling antacids at concessions for the Spring Break Tournament.  Given the cold weather predicted for the so-called Spring Break Tournament, hand warmers might also be for sale. The lower the temperature, the higher the price (capitalism works!)

In earning the save, Christina went two and one-third innings, with one strikeout, one walk, and two hits.  Although it was only one K, it was the most important whiff of the season so far.  Jayne picked up her second win of the season, going 4 2/3rd innings, with two whiffs, three hits, eight walks, and one hit-by-pitch.

West Potomac had six hits and seven walks.  The back to back triple/double blows by Olivia and Torie doubled the number of extra base hits so far this season for West Potomac.  Caroline, Olivia, and Torie each had one RBI, while the other two runs were manufactured by alert Wolverine runners.

Wolverine web gems were turned in by combos last night.  The very first Robinson hitter laid down a nice bunt.  Jayne fielded it and threw a nice strike to Harley, who did a good job covering first. Second sacker Harley actually recorded three putouts covering first base, as the Robinson bunt strategy was blunted by the Wolverines.  Torie gunned a throw to Nikki to catch a would-be base thief, and of course, it the piece de resistance was the Grace to Harley to Annabelle tag at third. That's 8-4-6 for those looking for a Lotto number for today (don't hold me responsible when you lose, but feel free to give me half your winnings if the numbers hit).

The rumor is NOT true that the Robinson coach could be heard muttering repeatedly to himself after the game: "14 LOB! LOL!  14 LOB!  LOL!  LOL!  LOL!  (To be fair, though, who would blame him if he did?).  West Potomac got the last laugh.