2008 Season - Final Coaches' Note

It's hard to believe that another season has come and gone -- each year seems to go by faster.  I guess that this year went by especially quickly is that it was so much fun for me.

No matter what the record says, this was perhaps the best team, top to bottom, that Coach Bridgens and i have ever had the privilege of coaching.  You all played hard, listen to instructions (when necessary) and most importantly, showed up for the games.  You don't know how much easier this made things for the coaches!

Final kudos to (in decreasing age order):

• Nicole Cicala (last year in ARA), who even though was unable to play because of knee surgery for about half the season, still showed up for games and cheered and encouraged her teammates.  She has great team spirit and will be missed.
• Elizabeth Joyce (last year in ARA), was a great player, offensively and defensively, and had great team spirit; she was like having another coach in the field.  She will also be missed.
• Maggie Thomas, (i have to be careful what i say here!), always tried hard and had a great knack for getting on base.
• Caroline Stanley, hit and pitched well throughout the season.
• Tessa Crist, was absolute rock at second base, one of the best at that position that i have ever seen.
• Kelsey Keaveney, although she could not run well (knee) throughout the early part of the year, still gutted it out and played.  We asked a lot of her pitching (she pitched a lot of innings) and she performed superbly, without complaint.
• Bethany Steckel, (last year in ARA [she's moving]), had a great eye at the plate; i've never seen anyone have more three balls and two strike counts ever.
• Katie Joyce, a terrific batter and defensive player...hard to believe she has two more years she can play in ARA!
• Nicole Bridgens, anchor of our defense at shortstop and an awesome hitter (she may just hit one out on Field E before she's done).  It seems as if she's been playing in Seniors forever, but she also has two years left.
• Amelia Stettler, probably one of the most improved players i've seen...she caught anything and everything hit to her in right field, including some not so easy plays.
• Maria Gursky, a very quiet person, always listened well to instructions and gave her best all the time.
• Brianna Allen, (codename "Hawaii"), a solid left handed hitter.  This was only her first season in Seniors...she's only going to get better.
• MaryGrace Joyce, was an excellent outfielder (even though she didn't really like playing there), caught everything hit to her.  She is a much better player than she realizes.
• Megan Kelly, unfortunately missed a lot of games in the beginning because of her school's team's schedule.  She has great potential, i see great things for her in the future, she's only going to get better.

Thank you all for an awesome season!  I hope to see you all next year in ARA.

Take care and God bless you all,

Mr. T.

Playoff Game vs. Thunder 6/12/2008 (L 6-4)

(Once again, this is mostly from memory, so forgive me if anyone or anything is left out.)

Well, our arch-nemesis the Thunder got us again; however we played very well during this game.  We actually outhit  them (seven to five); i believe we really had them worried.  Nothing to be ashamed of here...we (the coaches) are very proud of you all.

Even though you finished second this year, to us, you are ALL champions.

Kudos to:

• Kelsey, game ball, had a monster double to drive in two runs (put us in the lead at that time) and pitched great.
• Nicole B., had two hits.
• Katie, played outstanding defense at first base.
• The entire team, for playing a great game.

Congratulations to you all!

Mr. B. and Mr. T.

Playoff game vs. Force 6/9/2008 (W 8-0)

(Note:  it took me a long time after the game to write this; a lot is from memory.)

The team played very well in all aspects of the game in this one -- pitching, hitting, and defense.  We jumped on them in the first inning and never looked back.

Kudos to:

• Katie, scored two runs.
• Caroline, had two runs batted in and also pitched very well.
• Kelsey, also pitched very well.
• Nicole B., scored two runs.

Well done, ladies!

Mr. B. and Mr. T.

Playoff Game vs. Thunder 6/5/2008 (L 5-4)

This was a very tough game to lose in the last inning.   We were very competitive during the game, and really, with the exception of one inning in the field, out-played our opponents.  We out-hit them six to five, and again, except for one inning, played equally as well defensively.

Kudos to:

• Elizabeth, game ball, a double to drive in our first two runs.
• Bethany, drove in our fourth run with a hit.
• Katie, drove in our third run.
• Megan, a hit that started our three-run rally.
• Maria, had a hit to keep our rally going.

Please believe me when i say that you are just as good a team as the Thunder.  If we stay away from the one bad defensive inning, we'll beat them more often than not.

Let's take care of our game on Monday first...but wouldn't you all like another shot at the Thunder?

Mr. B. and Mr. T.

Game vs. Thunder 5/27/2008 (L 13-0)

Well, not much to say about this one...we (including the coach) just had a really, really bad day.  We'll just chalk this one up as a learning experience and move on.  Playoffs start soon...we will do better, i'm sure.

Mr. T.

Game vs. Thunder 5/17/2008 (L 11-1)

With the exception of the last inning where we kind of shot ourselves in the foot, we hung right in there with great pitching and excellent defense.  Nothing to be ashamed of here...the last inning was just "one of those" things that happens sometimes.

Kudos to:

• Amelia, game ball, for several great catches in right field.
• Brianna, game ball, for a big triple that set up our only run.
• Caroline, pitched six fantastic innings.

This game was not nearly as bad as the score indicated.  Keep your heads up, ladies!

Mr. B. and Mr. T.

Game vs. Force 5/14/2008 (W 11-6)

Unfortunately, I (Mr. T.) was not able to be at this game, so these notes are based on what I was told and what I could see in the scorebook.

From all reports, the team played very well in this game; hitting and field were especially good.

Kudos to:

• Nicole C., game ball, a hit in her very first at bat of the season, after a long layoff due to injury.
• Nicole B., had three hits and scored two runs.
• Elizabeth, had two hits and two runs batted in.
• Caroline, had three hits, scored two runs, and had two runs batted in.
• Amelia, had two hits and two runs batted in.

Also, one spirit point goes to Elizabeth!

Great job, ladies!

Mr. B. and Mr. T.