Lucy's 15th Birthday

Time flies as they say and it really does.  Lucy is 15 years old already! This was posted by her club softball team, the Mudhens, on their instagram page.  They follow all the girls and keep up with their softball journeys in high school. That's pretty special.  

Deer Park had a softball game that happened before the party.  They played Riverside which is a tough team.  I didn't take many pictures at this game because I wanted to watch. I do wish I could have recorded a play Lucy made when she threw a runner out at home.  She was trying to tag a runner going to second but knew there was a runner on third.  Kristin said Lucy was aware of the runner on third and knew that she had spent enough time with the runner coming to second that the runner on third would take off.  She turned around and threw a shot to the catcher and got her out.  Such great awareness and timing on Lucy's part.  Not sure if I described this play perfectly but it was impressive for sure. 

Happy Birthday Lucy!!! 

Some of Lucy's gifts.  

The Lathrops got new chicks.  

A skill that is not as easy as it looks.  I tried serval times and failed. 

Goofy! That's a pickle she is eating. 

Gift opening!

Still goofy! So fun. 

Lucy and her friend Kyle escaped the group for games.  

Lucy wanted her candles lit in the pickle.  Still beautifully goofy.  

Gotta make sure the candles don't fall over and set the paper plate on fire.  

A great night celebrating Lucy and the beautiful girl she is inside and out.  We love you Lucy!

A Record Tying Softball Performance!

A first we weren't going to make the drive to Newport to watch this game.  We decided to just do it and boy are we glad we did! What a game!!!!  Softball is usually 7 innings.  This game went 9 innings!  It was a great place to take pictures for me because I wasn't fighting fences all the time! Number 7, Lucy, up to bat.  

I don't think I need to describe every picture.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Lucy started at shortstop and ended up pitching.  Lucy pitched 4 2/3 innings.  The Deer Park team was behind 8-4 at the end of 4 innings.  The girls rallied back to tie the game in the 7th.  On to the 8th inning.  Deer Park scored and Newport matched their scoring.  Then came the 9th inning.  Wow! The game was tied 14-14 and Deer Park rose to the occasion. Truly a team effort.  They scored 9 runs.  Newport didn't come close to matching those 9 runs. So much excitement for the team and for the family, friends and fans that came to cheer them on!  It was a big win!!!

Shortstop!

Picking up the ball.

Get ready to throw.

Let it ride!  Hair in her face and all.

Such a great swing!

Sammie watched the game too. 

Discussion time. 

This was a throw from the outfield that Lucy tried to catch but it was way over her head. 

Lucy hit a scorching triple down the third base line. 

Pitching time. Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4

Number 5

And they did it! 9 innings and a victory 23-14.  So, so, so much fun to be there and see the excitement that these girls showed.  They never gave up!!!! 

The team!!!!! What a great job they did.  Thanks all for the enjoyment!

I I saved the best for last.  The highlight for us! The record for most homers in a season was tied by Lucy at this game.  She has hit 11 home runs so far.  I wanted to put the video of the home run on this post. Kristin took it with her cell phone. It won't load, darn.  I had the same issue at one time with videos I took with my phone. I had to change a setting on my iPhone for it to be compatible with blogger.  Believe me the home run was a great one.  So here it is, the home run ball that includes a big smile from Lucy! Congratulations Lucy!