MORE ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT

Well, we got knocked out of the tournament last night.

We lost the first game by one run. This was to the number one seed, the team from the neighboring town with whom we are consolidated for school. Their coaches informed us that they had never been held to so few runs before - 7 - and had never lost by such a small margin.

Small comfort, when the rivalry is so fierce. It is a difficult thing to play your classmates - the tension was thick and our girls were heartbroken.

But there is no shame in the way they played. They gave that team a real scare and really showed what good ball players they are, and how much they've improved.


My daughter hit a triple.

Funny thing about that triple is that the ball rolled about 24 inches in front of the plate. It wasn't even a bunt - just a freaky hit where the ball probably rolled down the bat after it was hit. Anyway, due to all the errors in the field, she got to third base on that teeny tiny hit. As she passed second I was laughing uncontrollably saying "She's gonna get a triple off that hit!! OH MY GOSH!!" I told her later that, if nothing else, the other team was humiliated on that one. She said she wasn't even sure what happened or what she should do, so she just kept running until the third base coach held up his hands for her to stop. It was a much needed light moment after the game, as we relived it in the van on our way to the other field to play yet another fierce rival.

We lost our second game by quite a bit. Of course our girls were exhausted. We had to start the games late due to violent rains and so didn't even finish the second game until past 10:30.

The fields were wet but the spectator area at the first field was a lake. Seriously, there was about 2 inches of standing water surrounding the bleachers.

May I just brag for a moment?

Please?

My daughter is our only pitcher on the tournament team. She pitched ten consecutive innings last night. She pitched 4 games for this tournament with no relief. In the first three games combined she only gave up 12 runs. She never lost her composure on the mound. Her pitch never seemed to weaken, even last night, playing two games in a row. After the final game while the girls were gathered in the dug-out, the coach said "Let's give Kayla a big hand. She got us through this tournament with no backup."

Uh-huh. That's my girl. That's my girl who got absolutely none of her talent from me.

But, of course, it wasn't just one player. One player doesn't lose a game, and one player doesn't win a game. All these girls brought themselves from the losers' bracket as the number 13 seed into a game that made the number one seed mighty nervous. Katie made a beautiful catch as shortstop. Becky played great at first, as usual. Shannon and Kaitlyn were tremendous catchers, throwing off their mask and hustling to make the plays at home. Oh, and Kaitlyn also made a tremendous catch in center field when she wasn't catching. Sarah also played great at first, in the second game, and took a ball in the face, finished the play, and then ended up with a knot the size of a peach above her left eye. Way to take one for the team Sarah!! And of course, Gabby on third. We would be lost without her amazingly strong and accurate throw. She can zip a ball from third to first like nobody's business.

All the girls were fantastic, and in the next couple of years they will combine with that number one seeded team when they play for the high school softball team. Then look out! Because we will be a force to be reckoned with.

I hope they are all proud of their performance in this tournament, because I know the parents are.

Yes, they would love to have beat that number one team. Yes, they hope to some day wipe those smug little grins off their faces, but until then, I think they should be extremely proud.

And now they can get back to the business of being a 14-year-old girl on summer vacation.

Pool.
Mall.
Park.

Repeat.