Grosse Pointe News - Local History Archives

GROSSE POINTE NEWS, AUGUST 9, 2012
4C| SPORTS
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
Power of nine speaks volumes
Ihad the pleasure of
watching something
in sports I don't
think I will ever
watch again. I've
been a sports writer for 20
years and witnessed my
share of upsets, state
championships and plenty
of peaks and vajleys.
During the final week of
July, I watched a group of
nine young ladies either
entering high school or remaining
in middle school,
put together a run for the
ages in a NSA14U Class B
World Series in Highland,
Ind.
The magical nine of
Natalie VanDerHaegen,
Emma St. John, Alex
LaRue, Jordan Miller,
Kelcie LaTour, Nicole
Roeske, Hailey Reese,
Emily Andrews and
Jordan Bianchi never wavered
through every battle
fought in hot, muggy
weather.
They battled back and
won several one-run
games. The ladies beat
some very good softball
teams during this epic
trek. The support of head
coach Mike Roeske and
assistant coaches Jack
LaTour and Steve
Andrews helped pick up
the girls when their backs
were against the wall.
There was never talk of
losing; just words of encouragement,
fighting
through it and believing in
your teammates. The girls
knew they had to win
every game to make the finals.
"It was amazing how
positive the girls remained
throughout the tournament,''
Mike Roeske said.
"This: is a life lesson the
girls will use for the rest of
ii wtfj [j
PHOTO BY TRICIA LATOUR
The team members of the 13U Michigan Bulldogs pictured above are, front row
from left, Nicole Roeske, Emily Andrews, Jordan Bianchi and Natalie
VanDerHaegen; and standing from left, head coach Mike Roeske, assistant coach
Steve Andrews, Alex LaRue, Kelcie LaTour, Jordan Miller, Hailey Reese, Emma
St John and assistant coach Jack LaTour.
their lives. It's a remarkable
story I will remember
forever."
Opening ceremonies
were Monday, July 23, in
Valparaiso and games began
the following day.
My daughter, Emma,
and her teammates play
for the 13U Michigan
Bulldogs. After splitting
two pool games, they unfortunately
lost their first
bracket game 7-6 to Valley
Force, sending the team to
the lonely place called the
losers' bracket.
"We had confidence we
could win and the girls
never gave up, which was
the key," Jack LaTour said.
"It was our job as coaches
to remain positive and see
this, Jhjqough. .Nat only .did
the girls continue to win,
but they gained confidence
with each victory
This is something that
brings a smile to my face
every time I think about
it."
"I was blown away by
the fact that although the
odds were always against
them moving forward,
right from the start the
girls never even spoke of
losing," Steve Andrews
said. "They played for the
girls next to them. No one
quit no matter how tired
they were. They just kept
getting up and going.
They were the true definition
of team."
Everyone knows heading
to the losers' bracket is
a death sentence in soft-
.: r -l noijf
Have the
Grosse Pointe News
delivered te your
home every "week
and save!
Every Thursday, we provide the Pointes with complete coverage of the
people, organizations, businesses, sales and events in our community.
We make it easy for
Pointers to stay informed S\K)1 ITS
about their schools and 5~
local sports, health,
FEATURES •*
family events, real
estate, business,
restaurants, gardening, * NEWS II
U«»ll)vi'ViH';i!KH!.Mk>s