Lady 'Bird softball gets going with first alumni game
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Chris Barbee Back In Motion Brittney Oates makes a throw during Saturday's scrimmage against former Lady 'Bird softball players. The 2008 softball team will start the season Thursday in a tournament at Bryan.

After contemplating a game pitting his former varsity players against his current team for several years, Ricebird varsity softball coach Shane Wagner got it together this year and the game was played Friday evening at Youth Memorial Park.

Ronny Collins, who coached many of the "alumni" players during their Little League World Series days, served as announcer. He began by saying the game was being played in memory of Kelly Dluhos, a member of the varsity softball team when she was killed in a traffic accident her sophomore year. Kelly would have graduated with the Class of 2007.

Along with the dedication was a special presentation to Kelly's parents, Tommy and Rena Dluhos - their daughter's jersey

"The team hung up her jersey in the dugout during every game for the last two seasons, which would have been her junior and senior year. It was very bittersweet to see it in there, but we know it made the team feel just as good as us," Kelly's mother said.

"It was like a part of her played right there with them every time. Coach Wagner and the Ladybirds will always be extremely special to us. Kelly thoroughly enjoyed giving 'Wagner' a hard time on and off the field. I think the feeling was mutual, though!" she added.

It looked awhile like the alums would hold onto a slim one-run lead taken in the top of the first inning, but when the final out was recorded, the current Ricebirds were on top, 3-1.

Former Ricebird pitching ace Cori Bram was in the circle for the alums, and was doing well until Ricebird pitcher Emily Bergstrom nailed her on the left elbow in the top of the fourth inning. She was not able to return to the game. Lady Ricebird Katlyn Urbanovsky switched dugouts and pitched the last three innings for the alums.

The alums got on the board when Rachael Ryan knocked in Suzanne Buzek. The Ricebirds threatened in the bottom half of the first when Anna Raun led off with a single past third base. Raun was eventually thrown out trying to steal home.

The Lady 'Birds threatened again in the bottom of the third inning. Lindsey Marik crushed a triple to left center. Raun hit the ball back to Bram in the circle, but rather than go to first for the easy out she chose to hold the ball to keep Marik from trying to score. Angela Fiala walked to load the bases with only one out. Brittney Oates was thrown out at first base on a play from Heather Kight to Natalie Kainer, and Danielle Smith struck out to end the inning.

The Lady Ricebirds scored the go ahead runs in the bottom of the fifth. Gabby Macias singled and moved to second base on a fielder's choice. Fiala hit the ball and was safe when the ball got past Kainer at first. Macias scored on the error and Fiala went to third. Oates drove the ball past third base into left field to score Fiala for a 2-1 Lady 'Bird lead.

The varsity team scored again in the sixth inning. Alexis Cooper hit a deep double to the left field corner and scored on a Raven Owens hit to center field for the final score.

Alumni present for the first alumni game were: Amanda Puentes, Class of 2003; Rachael Ryan, Cori Bram, Natalie Kainer and Heather Kight, Class of 2005; Katie Kainer and Lauren Wells, Class of 2006; and Suzanne Buzek and Haley English, Class of 2007.