The Fastpitch Chronicle

In 2016 we were playing at New Lisbon. If we lose that game we would tie for conference championship. If we win we would  win the conference title.

 It was a back and forth game. It had been a pitchers' duel between the New Lisbon chucker and my oldest daughter Lindsey right from the start. In the top of the seventh we were able to get a run across to tie the game. Going into the top of the eighth we ran a squeeze bunt and on a perfectly executed squeeze by Harley Hundt we were able to get the across scoring Noel Schmitz and go up by one. 

In  the bottom of the eighth the game got really interesting. We were able to get a quick out, but they had the "heart" of their batting order due up. After a base hit followed by a walk, we intentionally walked their big hitter to load the bases. I called time to talk to the team. I was able to get them to relax. I remember telling them "go where the ball takes you, we don't have to go home just get an out." At that point the bases were loaded with one out. The winning run stood just 120 feet away at second base. The count on the next batter went to two balls and two strikes. We chose to work the batter inside so our catcher set-up there. On the 2-2 pitch the batter hit a rocket up the middle but Lindsey snared it on the first hop. Her quick throw to catcher Taylor Costello at the plate retires the second out. Costello then rifles a throw to Olivia Pieper at first to record the game winning double play and we win the conference title. We managed six hits in the game while New Lisbon got five.

It was a memorable game and for me the most memorable 
Let's play ball!
Coach Kramer

Publisher's Note: The game between Cashton and New Lisbon was a battle. Tomorrow you can expect to see a story about Milwaukee King as told my their coach Duke O'Keefe-Boettcher.