STORY: Gloucester girls romp past Warwick in softball

[Sonny Dearth]

Relaxed Gloucester crushes Warwick
By Dave Johnson | djohnson@dailypress.com

NEWPORT NEWS — The teams came in tied for first place in the Peninsula District softball standings, but Gloucester High coach Red Lindsay had a message for his kids: This game won’t make or break you.

Maybe that relaxed the Dukes, and maybe that’s why they cruised to a 9-1 win Friday afternoon over Warwick at Riverside Elementary. Gloucester (11-2, 10-1 district) scored eight runs in the first five innings and cruised to its second lopsided win over Warwick (9-3, 9-2) in 30 days.

“We told them yesterday to go out and enjoy it,” Lindsay said. “And we told them, ‘This game won’t define your season.’ Win or lose, there are big games coming up the rest of the year. But I’m proud of the kids.

And you know what I like best about it? It was a total team win. Everybody contributed.”

Particularly the usual suspects. Stephanie Coates struck out 15 and went 3-for-3 at the plate. Brenna Thomas, Karli Robb and Lauren Kiser had two hits each — though Kiser should get extra credit for her over-the-fence home run in the seventh inning.

The Dukes had 11 hits against Warwick pitcher Travonna Byrd, who had given up only two earned runs all season. The Raiders allowed three runs to score on errors and two more on wild pitches.

“All we can do is regroup and move forward, because we have some tough teams to face,” Warwick coach Jimmy Dawson said.

Gloucester got to Byrd (5-1) early with two runs in the first. Taylor Saulman and Coates had back-to-back singles with two outs, and then Robb stuck a looper into right-center.

Saulman scored from second, and Coates came around after the relay throw from Byrd got past catcher Ashley Trumble.

“Scoring early like that puts pressure on them,” Robb said. “And if you keep scoring every inning like that, you know they’ll be defeated eventually.”

Especially with Coates on the hill. She wasn’t perfect, as she occasionally is, but she was overpowering. Of the 28 batters Warwick sent to the plate, only nine managed to put the ball in play. Fifteen of her outs came on K’s.

“When I was warming up,” she said, “everything seemed to be on.”

GLOUCESTER 9, WARWICK 1
Gloucester 211 220 1 — 9 11 2
Warwick 000 100 0 — 1 2 3
WP—Coates (11-2). LP—Byrd (5-1). Standouts—Gloucester, Coates 3-3 (2 runs), 15 strikeouts, Thomas 2-3, Robb 2-4 (1 RBI), Kiser 2-4 (HR, triple). Records—Gloucester 11-2, 10-1 Peninsula District; Warwick 9-3, 9-2.

[justafan]

well I guess that settles that.

[HPT_transplant]

I don't think so ... Tournament time could prove differently.

[Dave Johnson]

Here's some numbers that didn't make it into the 12-inch game story:
In two games head-to-head this season, Gloucester has outscored Warwick 21-4. And outhit the Raiders 23-8. Stephanie Coates is 6-for-7 from the plate, and Karli Robb 5-8.
The tournament could very well be a different story. But for the moment, there's no doubt who's the better team.

[lillie]

I've seen both teams and coaches in action. Gloucester is by far the better team and Red Lindsay is by far the better coach. After Tra and Sarah have graduated Warwick will no longer be a powerhouse. Gloucester is and has been grooming up and coming players to be just that. Gloucester will be formidable for a long time to come. Sorry Warwick but it's true.

[felix]

Who will pitch for Gloucester after Coates is gone? I think that the coach has not looked ahead. Personally, I think that after the current junior class is gone there will be a lack of talent in the PD and the BRD.

[BayRivahGirl]

So let me get this right.. Davy Johnson is a sport writer..Right. I take it he is for the Press... And he is already setting a bad tone for the teams in question. He is being very bias and that is not to say he is right, but you can tell he as writer is not being vert fair to any other team than Gloucester...... This is not right....:(

[snoclaf]

I have to agree with the previous post, there are numerous articles about the PD teams (Warwick & GLoucester) not so many in the BRD. Thats OK though if we say to much we will be jealous and sad because be are not as good as the PD ;) .

[BayRivahGirl]

Sad part is Coates is only a junior and we will have to hear and see the same -o same - o again next year... I am glad for Coates BUT come on Press - There are to many other girls and games to focus on. We ALL KNOW now where Coates is going, Lets hear about other girls so that they may become super-stars too thru your press......

[BayRivahGirl]

Oh Felix -- I guess if Coates were to move to the BRD district we could get the coverage...lol But not on the wins...........lol

[The Clutch Hitter]

I really cannot believe that the following posts were made. Dave Johnson, the Daily Press reporter is just giving statistics, and by those numbers Gloucester is the better team! BayRivah Girl, Felix, Snoclaf ALL of you Falcoln Fans keep talking about articles, you have lost your last couple of games, what kind of article do you want!

Dave Johnson if you are reading this, please send a reporter out to YORK HIGH and do an article on the five girls who have played together since they were 10!

WOW this becomes really tedious to hear!

We should be rooting for ALL the teams BRD and PD, but you guys make it not fun with your posts!:smokin:

[Dave Johnson]

Hey BayRivahGirl: I'm not biased toward either team, or any team for that matter. If you go back and read my previous post, I simply pointed out that in the two games between Gloucester and Warwick -- the teams everybody knew would be atop the standings -- the Dukes have dominated each. By a score of 21-4, which I think qualifies as "dominated." No need to make it anything other than what it is.

[lillie]

Mr. Johnson

Unfortunately you can't please everyone. People are jealous and can't handle the truth. If reporting the facts as they are makes you biased then I guess you are. I personally thought you were just making sure all the facts are there. Not really sure why the bay rivers crowd is even upset by this story as it involves two peninsula district teams. Regardless I think you do a good job reporting on all of the teams it just happens that this thread was about Gloucester and warwick.

[justafan]

Dave is right...the stats do not lie. Gloucester seems to have Warwicks number hands down.

Something I think everyone has forgotten about with regards to all of the talented pitchers currently in the area. All of these ladies are great! Just as great as all the ladies before them and just as great as all the ladies who will follow. The point is the game is larger than any one player or team. The game itself will outlast everyone. As soon as this talented class of players move on we will see plenty of players ready and willing for their opportunity to play varsity ball and hear all of you bash them when they make the newspaper just like what is currently taking place.

That; Ladies and Gentlemen, you can be sure of.

[lillie]

Amen justafan

[softballfan1]

This is to Clutch Hitter- get a grip!!!!!!! You obviously know nothing about the players on the York High team so please refrain from commenting on how many have played together since they were 10!

Obviously, YOU have some resentment towards the York high team, please do not take out YOUR frustrations by making comments that are untrue, it just makes this forum seem solely like a place to vent.

Plus to my suspicions, the people you called out as Falcon Fans are NOT all Falcon Fans, so you may want to provide an apology.

This PD vs BRD discussion is old and honestly should take it with a grain of salt. Each individual has thier own opinion and that is all they are- opinions so may I please ask that we move on to more thoughtful discussion about the great players in both districts.
I guess Grafton's loss on saturday was thier 2nd? Warwick's loss was their 2nd?

[The Clutch Hitter]

Well to just let you know Softballfan1, I happened to know all the girls that play a York High School, and most of them have played either Little League ball or AAU since they were 10! But really BayRivahGirl and Snoclaf should not be getting so upset because Dave Johson a reporter who covers the PD district not BRD district gives statistics and be called bias! He actually is pretty fair and does a great job reporting for the PD! :caked:

[sportsfan1]

Once again Clutch Hitter, you are wrong. There are not 5 girls who have played together on AAU or little league on York's team. At most, I have seen 2 girls on that team on the same little league team and 3 that played on the same AAU team at one time. You may know their names but that doesn't mean you KNOW them. They are extradoinary girls and I will admit that and I guess that explains your infactuation with the girls on this team but next time when you write in-Can you please write about your team?

[The Clutch Hitter]

Oh OK sorry, you have 3 girls that have played AAU together and 1 girl that has come from Menchville back to York, and the other girls have just played ball during some point in time, rather it be LL or AAU! Excuse me if I made you mad! But I was just commenting and expressing my opinion, and I am entitled to that, just ask SNOCLAF! May not be what you want to hear, but sorry!:rolleyes:

[lillie]

oh come on now, we all know that prosper, dunford, williamson, lucker, the pitcher and Catherine Davis all currently play or played for the Revolution. Not that it matters but please don't say they haven't played asa ball or little league together when everyone knows that they have played or currently play. Again it doesn't matter to me one way or another but it just is funny that you guys insist that they haven't when we can look on the Revolution web page and see it.

that's all.

Besides isn't this a dreaded PD thread:cheer2: I know how you all love to hate on the PD

[sportsfan1]

Here we go again for the last time Clutch Hitter, we would all like to hear about your team and how many of your girls play on AAU and well heck go ahead and tell us where everyone played LL to if it will make you feel better. Sorry if we all just want to hear about YOU and if that's upsetting you then maybe you shouldn't talk about all the other teams and just talk about YOUR team.:D Sportsfans from all around want to know more about you!!

[BayRivahGirl]

I think the AAU team Clutch Hitter would tell you about has folded. Hmm wonder why.......

[The Clutch Hitter]

No the team my daughter plays for has NOT folded and could beat your HS team anyday! Don't get mad that the truth is coming out, sorry not my fault your team is not having a winning season!:confused: And my the way BayRivah Girl if I am not mistaken you played for the PD at one point! Am I right?????:closed_2:

[BayRivahGirl]

Clutch Hitter - I will say talk is cheap. Does not matter if I played for PD or not. The truth of the matter is your 16 & 18U team is I guess you could say "under construstion" AM I WRONG?
As far as beating my HS team - :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[kevinh_04]

Gloucester always seems to dominate, this isn't something new since Coates has been on the team. There's a middle school pitcher that is undefeated that will be in HS next season. Look out.

[BayRivahGirl]

I wonder why Gloucester dominates the district........ Duhhhhhhhh maybe they do not play but 1 or 2 good teams.

[kevinh_04]

That also hurts them when it comes to region and state tournament play. The better teams you play in the regular season the better your chances in tourneys.

[BayRivahGirl]

Kevin - You see my point. and you are so right. Thanks for saying what I have been trying to say. :)
If you follow these players after HS - you see they seldom shine. Unless you are like a Monica Abbott.

[kevinh_04]

I remember Kent Kruse dominating everything in the Bay Rivers district at York High some time ago. Many no hitters, 1 hitters, etc.

Got to UVA and had to face Ga Tech, Clemson, etc. where the #9 hitter was the cleanup hitter on their high school team, and got rocked.

It happens, unless they are very, very special. Kruse was a special high school pitcher. It didn't translate to one of the best conferences in baseball, however.

Time will tell is Coates is a great college pitcher. I'm just glad we'll get the chance to find out.

[kochanie803]

I wonder why Gloucester dominates the district........ Duhhhhhhhh maybe they do not play but 1 or 2 good teams.

yeah that is true. unless youre warwick, gloucester, menchville or woodside, you're a joke. but even in the top 4 sometimes its pretty lopsided if you ask me.

[BayRivahGirl]

That is why I wished the DP would give others a chance in their papers. They write story after story about 1 person - and never give others a chance to shine. Sure some games are
worth the article, but to keep seeing stories on 1 person that really had no game (if a no hitter is 22-0). I love reading the games that were close, that one play (or error) that
made the difference or if two really good teams played and it was a surprise or up-set. Some of the other players need to shine and we need to hear about them. There is enough room in the DP to give kids in both districts their shot at being great. :)

[lillie]

Actually Menchville is in 6th place and isn't as strong since Katie Bookbinder graduated. The top teams six teams in our district have all been close in at least one of the two games they played each other so to say there is only one or two good teams shows you obviously have been to any of our games. Gloucester, Warwick, Bethel, Woodside, Kecoughtan and Menchville are all equivalent on a good day. Then you have the rest of the teams that really aren't close. Bay Rivers seems to have three or four good teams and the rest are pretty lame too. Unfortunatley that's just the way it goes and it varies from year to year. We just have more quality pitchers and teams in the Peninsula District....that's all. We have a larger population and talent pool to pick from. However in 04 Kecoughtan placed 3rd in the Regional tournament at the beach and lost thier game in that tournament 2 to 1 so Not all teams stink when they go across the water. It just depends on the team make up.