Friday, May 30, 2008

Cam's Game Last Night...a Wrap-Up

MUSTANGS CONTROL RED HAWKS, CONTINUE PERFECT SEASON
5/29/2008
FLORISSANT, MO – The Mustangs travelled to the Bottoms of Hazelwood Thursday for their rematch against the Red Hawks. The Mustangs swept the series with a 15-7 victory and improved to 5-0 for the season.

Cam Hand led the charge going 2‑for‑2 at the plate and walking once. He also scored three times. Daniel Schultz also had two hits, scoring once and driving in three.

Jermaine Holt and Ethan King reached safely each time at bat. They both had a hit and a walk and combined for 3 runs and 2 RBIs.

“We did a good job of scoring our runners,” observed Coach Shultz. “We had 8 RBIs and stranded a total of 3 runners. That’s timely hitting and good base running.”

The second inning proved crucial. Clinging to a 5-2 lead with 2 already out, the Mustangs rallied for four additional runs using walks to Hand and Grant Tracy followed by back-to-back hits by Sam Caldwell and Schultz.

“That was an important rally,” recalled Coach Shultz. “It gave us some breathing room and allowed us to relax.”

“We weren’t as sharp as we’ve been in the past,” continued Coach Shultz. “Obviously, we weren’t completely flat but we haven’t played in 11 days and haven’t practiced for 10. At times, it showed.”

Starting pitcher David Brake fanned 4 over two innings. Two of those reached first base safely requiring some terrific fielding plays.

In the first, the Red Hawk batter lofted a ball high and deep to center field. Tracy positioned himself under the ball and made a big out.

In the second, Andrew Pettus was behind the plate and scrambled to recover a pitch as a runner tried to score from third. Pettus beat the runner who retreated back to the base. Pettus gave chase and then threw to third baseman Joe Weis who applied the tag for the out.

Holt came in as relief in the third inning. He induced a groundout and got a strike out before yielding to Pettus. Pettus retied all four batters he faced with a total of just13 pitches. He struck out 3 and only threw three pitches out of the strike zone.

“Andrew [Pettus] slammed the door on any thoughts the Red Hawks had for a comeback,” boasted Coach Shultz. “That was some efficient pitching.”

The Mustangs’ next game is their first against a team in the top 4 of the standings. The 6-0-1 Giants eliminated the Mustangs from the playoffs in 2007 and have been very successful in 2008. This game has already been rained out once and with rain in the forecast, it very well may be postponed again.

Monday, May 26, 2008

A Few Pix...

Here are a few pix of the house. Hopefully we will hear soon that the deal is done. Our realtor is going back to theirs with the results of our inspection. The 2 big things, roof/gutters, will be taken care of by insurance since there was a recent hail storm. We do have a back-up house in case this doesn't work out, but we think it should. Kels and I head back to STL this afternoon -- can't wait to see Cam!!! He's been on an exciting trip to Arkansas with his friend Noah. He called yesterday after tubing, he loved it, today it's knee boarding!





This is the loft where I will have my office.





ALSO: Congrats to Jessica and her 4x400 team who came in 5th place at State!!!!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

A Few Important Things

First -- thought it was a great Idol night last night -- especially for a season I didn't think was all that great. They put on a good show. Trish, I thought Carly and Michael Johns were great singing together, what did you think???

Second -- It's official! I have been approved to telework from Atlanta for the Air Force -- Praise God :) I am very excited and thankful for this opportunity. I am keeping my part-time job and will work electronically from my home. We are starting it on a trial basis for 6 months. I am praying that it goes well -- no technical sna-foos.

Third -- we have a contract on a house in Cumming GA! Can't wait to see it in person tomorrow. Kelsie and I are flying down in the morning; Cameron had previous plans with his good friend Noah, he's looking forward to that. I will post some pix of the house over the w/e. Ken's blog has a bunch of pix from when he saw it last week -- it's the one on Cottonwood Trail.

I have just been praying God's will in this whole process. I see Him working in so many ways.

Fourth -- My niece Jessica has made it to State in track and that is Friday and Saturday -- Good Luck Jessi! Run Run Run your hardest, do your best (I know you will). Wish I was able to be there to watch you!!!!

God Bless everyone!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?

I encourage you to set aside 24 minutes and 30 seconds to listen to the following:

http://www.oneplace.com/common/player/oneplace/CustomPlayer.asp?bcd=5/19/2008&url=http://swn.edgeboss.net/wmedia/swn/oneplace/wm/in/in20080519.wax&MinTitle=Insight+for+Living&MinURL=http://www.oneplace.comhttp://www.oneplace.com/ministries/insight_for_living/&MinArchives=http://www.oneplace.comhttp://www.oneplace.com/ministries/insight_for_living/archives.asp&Refresh=&AdsCategory=MINISTRY.IN&Show_ID=3

Headline: Mustangs Handle Reds, Remain Undefeated

After every game, Cam's head coach writes an "article" about the game, it's so well done and we love reading each one of them. Here's the one from last night :) (Oh, and Ken has a few clips from the game on his blog -- I have no idea how to do this yet, so if you want to see Cam in action, click below and enjoy...) AND...Don't forget to vote on my Americal Idol winner poll at the right :)

http://www.kenhand.blogspot.com/

MUSTANGS HANDLE REDS, REMAIN UNDEFEATED
5/18/2008
FLORISSANT, MO – The Mustangs success continued Sunday as they dispatched the Reds 17‑6. A tight game early, the Mustangs finally pulled away in the final inning.

In the early innings, the Mustangs were able to maintain their lead by removing base runners.

Starting pitcher Zachary Shultz caught a runner off of first base when he threw to Joe Curtis. Curtis threw to shortstop Andrew Pettus to end the run down for the out.

In the third, Zach Jones caught a runner stealing third by delivering a strike to David Brake who applied the tag for the out. Brake also picked off another runner after catching a popup to first. The runner at second strayed too far and Brake threw to Curtis before the runner could tag.

Finally, Shultz recorded the game’s final out after retrieving a pitch from the backstop and hustling back in time to tag the runner trying to score from third.

“Any time you can remove runners from the base paths, it’s a good thing” noted Coach Shultz. “You eliminate a potential run and move one out closer to ending the inning.”

The top of the line-up for the Reds proved problematic for the Mustangs. The first 5 batters went 6-for-9 with one walk. The five accounted for four of the team’s six runs and six of their eight hits.

“They have some great hitters,” observed Coach Shultz. “Fortunately, there were not many base runners when they got all those hits.”

The Mustang pitchers succeeded in keeping extra runners off the bases. Shultz, Pettus and Cam Hand combined for only 3 walks and one hit batter for the game. The trio struck out 8.

On offense, the Mustangs bats continued to stay hot. Unlike the previous game, the Mustangs drove in the majority of the team’s runs. Only five of the 16 resulted from stealing home on passed balls.

Leading the offense was Ethan King who was 3‑for‑3, including a double in the second inning. He also walked once.

“Ethan has been a great leadoff hitter for us,” commented Coach Shultz. “He has reached base every plate appearance except one this season.”

Shultz led the team with 3 RBIs and was 2-for-2 with a walk. Grant Tracy also reached base every time with a single and two walks.

Every player was involved in the offense today as each one either scored or drove in a run.

“I am really pleased with the total team involvement,” boasted Coach Shultz. “For example, Sam [Caldwell] and Cam [Hand] both drove in runs on ground outs when the game was close. You can’t get an RBI on a strikeout. Joe Weis, Marcus [Benson] and Daniel [Schultz] all scored after getting walked. Those are smart at‑bats.”

In the end, it was the Mustangs outstanding pitching depth that put the game away. The Mustang relievers, Pettus and Hand, had excellent control and maintained the team’s momentum. The Red’s reliever struggled, walking 7 in the last inning.

“I am quite pleased with the way we responded to a tight game,” concluded Coach Shultz. “It was a fun win that we can all be proud of. Hopefully we will build on it.”

The Mustangs do not play again until May 27 when they face the largely unknown McWilliams team. McWilliams has only one recorded game (a 17-1 victory over the Sharks) to go along with 6 rainouts.


Next game:
Versus McWilliams
Tuesday, May 27
8:30pm
Field #10

Sunday, May 18, 2008

THIS is American Idol

Can't you just hear Ryan Seacrest saying that? I love hearing that each week. Despite the fact that I think this is the 2nd sub-par season in a row, I still will miss it once it's over. Tuesday night is the finale with the results on Wednesday. I am going to post a new poll -- David vs. David; the "rocker" (kind of) vs. the 17 year old in a 80 year old's mind and body and song choice. Last week when he tried to sing the "hip" song (something about my boo???), I said to myself, it's a shame he didn't try and sing some "with it" songs throughout the season. Then, he might not have looked so silly singing it that night! Did anyone notice what a crazy Fantasia was last week??? EEK! What in the world was she thinking? Did you see Simon at the end of her "song"? He certainly couldn't figure it out. Anyway, Idol on folks!

As a side note (and of course most importantly), we spent a good part of the weekend at ball games. Kelsie pitched a 1-hitter last night (no walks, 1 unearned run) and the score was 19-1. Cam had a good game yesterday and today as well!

Monday, May 12, 2008

SSSStrike Three! What a Game! Plus a couple of other things...

Kelsie had her 3rd softball game of the season tonight -- a couple have been rained out. Anyway, she came into the game in the 2nd inning, her team tied 5-5. She ended up pitching 4 innings, 3 of them scoreless!!! She struck out 5, caught 2 balls for outs (one was a hard hit line drive) and her team won 15-10. Woo hoo, it was one of her best pitching performances :)

On a side note -- we are 0 for 2 so far in the house-hunting department. Both of the houses we put offers on have not panned out. But, that's ok. God has the big picture, we don't, so we press on! More to come...

My sister got a clean bill of health from her 3 month check-up today. Praising God on that one again.

Oh, check out my husband's blog for a few pix from this past weekend, here's the quick link:

http://www.kenhand.blogspot.com/

Saturday, May 10, 2008

The other stuff...

I have to give the Mother's Day post it's own space for at least 1 day -- so, the other stuff will have to get updated, maybe tomorrow night...please stay tuned!

Mother's Day...

To my mom who is the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 woman; my sister, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-laws, my nieces, my friends. I wish you all a wonderful day tomorrow. Thanks to all of you who have touched my life and supported me, I am blessed by God to have you in my life. Here is a sampling from Proverbs 31. When I read it, I know I have a lot to strive for that's for sure (I know, I don't like getting up while it's still dark; but I do provide food for my family -- notice that it doesn't say it has to be home-cooked! I know, the coverings for the bed will have to be made by my mom, do you think that counts????) :) But I am thankful for the Book that gives me this to strive for and gives me so much more!

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She makes coverings for her bed;
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Coming Soon (hopefully)

Something Mother's Day-ish (check out my sister-in-law's blog in the meantime for something funny for mother's day) (on "thisfunctionalfamily" -- link on the right side)

An update on our house-hunting (no, we don't have one yet)

Comments about Idol (I know, you can't wait)

An update on my job situation (that's exciting!)

Whatever else I can think of...

Friday, May 2, 2008

Power in the Name

WOW! This is powerful...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkL2UPx6dqw&feature=related

This is a group of young people from Gateway College of Evangelism which is located on the "other side of Howdershell" for those of you STL people; for those of you not from STL, it's about 1 mile from our house. My friend Nita teaches there and introduced me to the CD this song is on and wow, what a song. Now she just sent me this link!!!!!

Oh, I have to write a few of the words out b/c they are so powerful and until I read the words, I couldn't figure out what they were singing:

I wish I would've known... about the cross, your blood, your tears, your love, you did this for me

I went for so long...wishin I would have been told about how you love me so, I'll stand and testify about the One who saved my life, nobody greater and that's no lie, this is what I know and I believe it!