Grafton, Lafayette win in softball

[dsquires]

Grafton, Lafayette win in softball
By Norm Wood|nwood@dailypress.com (Wood|nwood@dailypress.com)

As soon as Grafton's Lindsay Sparks made contact in the eighth inning, she had a good feeling. She didn't have to wait for the chalk to fly or runners to cross base. It was over.

Sparks' confidence was justified. Her two-run single that stayed just inside the third-base line led Grafton to a 3-2 win Saturday against York in the first round of the Bay Rivers District softball tournament. Sparks' clutch hit was the highlight on a day that also included Lafayette's 1-0 win against Tabb at York High.

Lafayette (13-8), the No. 5 seed in the tournament, will face No. 1 New Kent at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the semifinals.

Grafton, the third seed, moves on to play No. 2 Poquoson at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Both games will take place at York.

With Stephanie Strother on first base and Jessica Turcotte on third, Sparks ripped a pitch from York's Ashley Prosper (6-6) that barely landed in fair territory near third base and rolled into left field. Turcotte scored easily, and Strother raced around to score the winning run.

"I was pumped," Sparks said. "I knew it was fair all the way. When I hit it, I knew (Strother) had a chance to score. She's pretty fast."

With the win, Grafton avenged a 2-0 loss May 11 against York, which entered the tournament as the sixth seed. York continued its tough luck in close games. In the last two seasons, York (9-11) has lost 11 of 16 games decided by one or two runs.

"We obviously thought we could beat them because we'd already done it," said York coach Amy Hunter. "We just didn't do the things we needed to do to win today. I'm still really proud of them."

York had a good opportunity to pull off its second upset win against Grafton in eight days. Grafton (16-5) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI single by Strother, who went 2-for-4, but York answered.

Going into the seventh inning, Grafton pitcher Kinsley Seward (11-5) had retired 10 consecutive York hitters. She immediately got into a jam by giving up back-to-back singles to Prosper and Catherine Davis to start the inning.

York's Rachel Lamb advanced both runners one base by grounding out to first base. Ashleigh Steele came through with an infield single to score Prosper and tie the game, but York couldn't get any more runs across the plate and left the bases loaded. Davis, who went 3-for-4, helped York take the lead in the eighth when she brought Stephanie Olsen home from third with a two-out single.

LAFAYETTE 1, TABB 0
Lafayette pitcher Katie Bruce admits she has had better days on the mound, but it's hard to argue with 11 strikeouts and a four-hit shutout.

She got all the assistance she needed in the sixth inning via Tabb's fielding difficulties. Pitcher Danielle Gleason (11-8) committed two throwing errors in the inning, allowing Megan Lynch to get around the bases with the winning run after she reached on a single.

Bruce (11-7) had to hold on in the sixth and seventh innings. Tabb's Emily Wright and Lindsey Arthur walked with two outs in the sixth. Bruce got out of the inning by striking out Michaela Munday.

In the seventh, Melanie Tenney and Katlyn Kline reached base for Tabb (11-8) on back-to-back two-out singles, but Bruce struck out Amanda Julian to end the game.

"I just needed to make sure I didn't throw them right down the middle in that situation," Bruce said. "We just knew we could win. I think our hitting really helped us today. It came through when we needed it most."

GRAFTON 3, YORK 2 (8 innings)
York 000 000 1 1 -- 2 9 2
Grafton 001 000 0 2 -- 3 6 0
WP -- Seward (11-5). LP -- Prosper (6-6).
Standouts -- York, Olsen 2-4 (one run), Davis 3-4 (RBI), Grinnell 2-3; Grafton, Seward (pitched complete game, gave up two earned runs, struck out three, walked none), Tunno 2-4, Strother 2-4 (RBI), Sparks 2-4 (two RBI). Records -- York 9-11, Grafton 16-5.

LAFAYETTE 1, TABB 0
Lafayette 000 001 0 -- 1 8 0
Tabb 000 000 0 -- 0 4 3
WP -- Bruce (11-7). LP -- Gleason (11-8). Standouts -- Lafayette, Bruce (pitched complete game shutout, struck out 11, walked three), Jen. Carroll 2-4 (double), Lynch 2-3 (run); Tabb, Gleason (pitched complete game, gave up one unearned run, struck out two, walked none), Kline 2-4. Records – Lafayette 13-8, Tabb 11-8. «

[brdsballman]

I'm starting to wonder what affiliations Norm Wood has with some people around the BRD that don't like Tabb. I hear he's buddy buddy with a few people that would rather not let Tabb get any decent press. There was an article today about Katie Bruce and how she was basically just having some bad days the past two losses to Tabb (atleast that was my take on it) when uh, in my opinion it was just this game was opportunity to keep Tabb from shutting them out with a three game winning streak. Obviously for Tabb to win two of the three games I feel they are still the better team, and it shows with Lafayette barely pulling off a win, even with 11 strikeouts. Norm seems to have a fancy for Grafton as well, but hey, I'm cancelling my subscription to the Daily Press so no need to worry any longer!

Meh least Tabb was able to prove that they could still get 4th place even with an almost complete freshmen team. Again, no article. :rofl:. Maybe I just need to start reporting things for the Daily Press. My bias would out weigh theres and everyone would be able to enjoy actual news where the teams that don't either have a solid pitcher or hmm a solid ranking still get news (Oh! Wait! Tabb has both!.. woops). I think its a larger accomplishment to have a whole talented team then a talented pitcher. But, again that's just my take on that. Least Tabb isn't relying on just one or two people to get them up in the rankings. :D

[Mike Gleason]

Norm, I left a message for you this morning. Pretty upset, and rightfully so. You reported my Daughter, Danielle as having two throwing errors when in fact she had none. Actually, I have been to all of Tabbs games but one this year and she had no errors all season. I don't feel I'm being petty either. Her and her team worked hard this year for an 11-7 record that no one expected. In the previous game against Lafayette she had 8 strike outs against players twice her size. It really upsets me that she had to read that article and knowing thousands are reading incorrect information. (Danielle shrugged it off) Also, the picture in the paper of the play on third is Melanie Tenny not Emily Wright. (Melanies name has been mispelled time and again all season, it's Tenny, not Tunny or Bunny, or Punney)

I really don't think it is even neccesary to print someones name that did have an error, what does that accomplish, other than embarassment for the player?
Please do something to right this, I would appreciate a response aslo. I am sorry if I am coming accross a little abrasive, it is obviously a sensative subject.

[Norm Wood]

Yes, I received your message, Mr. Gleason. I returned your phone call and left you a message about an hour ago, but haven't heard back from you yet.

At the Daily Press, we generally have one person covering each district high school sport (one person covering Bay Rivers District softball, one person covering Peninsula District softball, one person covering BRD baseball, one person covering PD baseball, etc.). In short, I am one person trying to make it to all the BRD softball games we deem critical in the standings, and those games that generate the most interest.

To readers who suggest there is some kind of bias present, the only thing I can say is that notion is simply incorrect. I don't have children. I didn't graduate from a BRD high school. I don't live in York County, Williamsburg, New Kent, Isle of Wight County or Southampton. I cover softball games and stories I think represent some of the best current talent in the district, or I think will interest/best inform readers. In all honesty, the school name on the front of the jerseys means very little to me (other than the fact these BRD schools are within the footprint of our coverage area).

Now, after watching Danielle pitch yesterday, I can understand why you're so excited about her softball future. Trust me, I was well-aware coming into that game she's a freshman. She certainly appears to be on the right track, and has vast potential to become one of the better pitchers in our area. As far as the photo is concerned, none of our reporters take photos and we generally don't provide cutline info (i.e.-photo captions). Those are the jobs of our extremely talented photographers.

If you still feel Danielle was misidentified as the player who committed errors at the end of that game (and yes....there most certainly were errors committed), please contact me again. I would be happy to further discuss the issue with you, and write a correction, but only if the information I included in the story was indeed incorrect.

Thank you for your interest. Have a great Sunday.

[brdsballman]

Norm, with all due respect, if you are a skilled enough reporter you can make any struggle, any game, any event newsworthy enough to catch a persons attention and get them to read the article. I feel you could have come up with a better excuse than that considering the fact that unless most of your subscibers are from the top 3-4 (oh and wait! How could I forget, Tabb was IN the top four, and still no credit.. man.. and wait we have a great solid pitcher... wow how can I keep forgetting that??? :( ) teams in the district, you're actually not really covering the broad range of your reading coverage. All I am saying is that if their was a bit of competition in this are in respect to the newspapers I feel that you guys would try to cover more than just Grafton and one or two pitchers. Maybe it's time for the Virginian-Pilot to expand their coverage a bit more in this region.

[BRD_Spectator]

Gotta give Tabb a big congratulations. They had a great season this year. Unfortunatley, they lost a tough one. Gleason is an outstanding pitcher and I was at the game. She was definately not the player who made those errors. She had a tremendous outing pitching wise. She is a great player and I look forward to seeing how she progresses.
________
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[felix]

To brdsballman & Mike, Would you both please calm down. For cring out loud, to listen to you guys you would think that Tabb was being blamed for the Titantic disater. Mistakes happen, thats a fact of life. If the DP did not report the right players on one play or another they will make it up in the the next game. Oh sorry, I guess they will make it right next year for you guys.

[The Clutch Hitter]

You know what Felix, how could you say that! If it was your daughter Kinsley you would be doing the same thing! If Danielle made an error, she can handle it, but she didn't! And for you to say such a thing as see you next year, if I am correct, you were on your knees on Saturday during the York game praying that you would win! YORK almost had it, but you know what ALL of these teams will be seeing you next year! CONGRATULATIONS DANIELLE GLEASON, YOU HAD A GREAT YEAR AS A FRESHMAN, WITH GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS! LOVE YA SWEETIE!!!!:yo:

[ballin4u]

This just in....reporters make errors just like ball players. Everybody on the Tabb team knows who made the error. Why in the world would a parent call out a Daily Press reporter like this? It was a mistake. Get over it. Tabb has got to get over the fact along withe several other teams that they did not get any press. Boo Hoo, lots of teams don't. Come on parents and students let's not start to sound like the other district and start attacking each other, our team mates, our coaches and friends because your kids season may be over already, your kids play to win as a team and sad to say they loose as a team. And as a final note Mr. Gleason I hope your daughter wins player of the year especially since she didn't make an error all year, because I'm sure every player on every team had a least one mistake thru the season, nothing to be upset about it happens.

[yrsofsoftball]

This was one of the best softball games I have seen in a long time. Both teams played their hearts out! Great game to both teams and congratulations Grafton for advancing.:o

[felix]

Clutch Hitter, Let's get one thing stright. I could care less what the DP does or does not print, wright or wrong about my kid. I have no control over that. Yes, I was on my knee's during the game Saturday but not praying, I forgot my chair and was tired of standing. And yes I'am guilty of wanting Grafton to win the game. But I was pulling for the team not just my kid. I have no ill will towards the Tabb team. I haved coached for and aginst many of those young ladies over the years and went to school with some of their parents. The" next year "comment was not directed towards the team. I was just having fun with the parents in this forum who for some reason take this way to seriously.

[brdsballman]

1. If the news can't report a story correctly, why report it at all?

2. Felix, when I read some of your previous posts it seems you take this forum just as seriously as other parents so bah get off your high horse. Also, if you would re read my first post you would notice I didn't mention a thing about the mistake concerning the two errors, even though I know for a fact they weren't both hers. So please feel free to re read and try to grasp the main theme.

The problem I have is I'm tired of reading about one or two girls when I'd like to hear not just about them, but ALL of the teams, and what's going on. I'd like to know how well South hampton and Jamestown played against each other. Just because they are in last place doesn't mean it's not worth reporting.

[all4softball7212]

mr. seward dont be hipocritical b/c
1. if it was your daugher im sure youd prolly be alot worse than my dad was if you go and read what he said its not calling the news reporter out he told me he made sure to re read what he said a couple times to make sure it wasnt saying anything bad.maybe you should go re read it just so you know
and 2. you cant say other parents take this forum too seriously when your one of the main ones on almost every softball forum arguing with people

and ballin4u
actually i had 2-3 errors this season.my dad wasnt at the game where the one i had was obvious and the other 1 or 2 could have gone to the person catching the ball or to me.so dont try to be smart.

[ballin4u]

Sorry, It was your dad who said you had no errors

[Mike Gleason]

Everybody Chill! Danielle do a spell check! :p Kenny, let's go have a cold beverage! :D brdsballman....Keep up the school spirit! Didn't mean to start world war three!
Seriously, Norm and I talked for quite a while last night. He is a really nice guy and a real professional. I understand he could have made a mistake, he understands my frustration as a Dad. I certainly did not "call him out" and he knows that. He was sitting down the third base line and it was an honest mistake. He's going to check it out and print a correction. Probably in the place where they put the corrections.
As for some of the comments about my post, I do not agree with any parent who claims they wouldn't have had a problem with the inaccuracies. I say you would, you can say you wouldn't. Sorry, don't believe it. Let's leave it at that.
As for the comment from a young person about me being frustrated about the errors, that was not what my post was about at all. About the Sarcastic comments about Danielle, I won't even go there, they would pull my post anyway!
I invite anyone to go back and read my posts, they are usually playfull and intended to start some friendly (hopefully) bantor. We know most of these folks from many PD and BRD teams anyway from tournament ball and consider them friends. OK that's it, had my say, and not in cognito! Go ahead and weigh in everyone, I'm going to try my dardnest not to respond....Peace!
:usa2:

[Mike Gleason]

Ballin'-Nope, I said in the games I saw. Read again. I missed a game. (Course I am a little bias, I've admitted that before....) Opps, I said I wasn't going to respond, let me try again...:boxing:

[brdsballman]

Haha what are you trying to do here mike?! Your taking all my fun away from me haha. You just had to go and be the mature one about it :( darn. Good post though D. You know I got your back on here ;)

[felix]

Mike,brdman, It's all good. just having fun. congradulations on a good season.

[Mike Gleason]

I'm gonna try and make the game tomorrow, see you there I hope. Thanks for the post...(Hug) .....:cool: ( I mean handshake...)

[Mike Gleason]

Yep, I know, I said I was not going to post. I just want to point out a player. No, I haven't run this by Danielle (asleep), but I know she would agree. Michaela Munday, a freshman for Tabb, currently playing catcher, has worked hard to be an accomplished player. An exceptional pitcher, she has been a dominating force at the catching position this season. This brings to mind her determination and "not giving up" attitude in the tag out at home to save a run in the Lafayette/Tabb game. After watching her for years I knew she would make that play, even though the player looked like a college player sliding in on a young girl. The pictue on hrvarsity.com shows her calling for the throw as the other player has arrived safe,.. Tough is the only way to describe her, and determined. Keep it up Michaela, I think you deserve a nod....:amen:

[The Clutch Hitter]

I AGREE! MICHELA MUNDAY ROCKS AT CATCHER! WHAT A WALL! GREAT JOB THIS YEAR, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND CAN'T WAIT FOR AAU! ;)

[ballin4u]

Ok Mike I was just busting on ya a bit about the error thing, I would probably be partial to if I had a kid out there. I hope everyone does well next year, sorry the season is over for some of the teams...some really good games were played in your district you'll should be proud of all of your kids.