Parkway Central Colts Crash Ladue's Senior Softball Party

Wednesday was senior softball day at Ladue High. The West Campus field was festooned with balloons and signage; there were cookies to go around and plenty of photos to take.

The Colts of Parkway Central crashed the Rams party. The Colts jumped on Ladue’s pitcher Natalie Grimm for four-first inning runs; banged out 12 hits and ruined the Rams day with a run-away 8-2 win.

Look for more photos on the Ladue-Frontenac, Olivette, Creve Coeur, Town and Country and Chesterfield Facebook Pages.

Senior lefty Jamie Lazaroff dazzled on the mound. She scattered 4 hits over 7 frames and had 6 strikeouts and for good measure went 2 for 4 at the plate for the win.

Ladue used three pitches in the losing effort. The Colts rose to 5-8 while Ladue still has a sparkling 9-3 record.

Not to go unnoticed was the brilliant play of Ladue junior shortstop Jessica Mormol, a Patch nominee for MVP this week.

In the Parkway half of the 5th inning, and with the bases loaded, Mormol not once but twice went home for force outs, not allowing the Colts to score in that frame with the sacks loaded.

The Colts big innings came in the 1st, 3rd and 4th innings. They put the 4 on the board in the first; and 2 apiece in the 3rd and 4th.

In the first, Tim Cerutti’s Colts parlayed timely hitting and base running to jump out to an early lead. Melanie Wasserman, catcher delivered a key RBI in that frame.

Taylor Johnson delivered a big blow with an RBI single in the 3rd scoring 2. In the 4th, Wasserman drew a walk; Jamie Gottlieb reached with a scratch infield hit and when Alyssa Waitz scored, it was 6-0.

Lazaroff was in command of her pitches. She was throwing low and away to Ladue batters. “I like to throw low and away, that’s my favorite spot to pitch. My drop ball was working really well and my fast ball too,” she said.

Wasserman called Lazeroff’s entire game and liked what she saw. “She (Jamie) pitched an amazing game. I always look forward to catching her. We have a great pitcher in her. We are definitely building some momentum after a rough start,” said Wasserman.

Cerutti enjoyed the win. “I always enjoy a win, but I liked that one in particular. We overcame some mistakes. We had quality bats when they were needed to be.”

Getting out the gate fast helped.

“Yes, that eased everyone’s minds,” said their coach. “We were able to get the job done.”

Jennifer Tuttle, Ladue’s coach finished on the losing end. “We have had a fantastic season. We’ve had a rough starting inning, and I think the girls had more on their mind what was going to happen after the game,” (the senior recognition events).

“But I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve done this season.”

Mormol’s defensive performance wowed the coach. “We put her at short stop because she is one of our more dependable players and hitters. She’s played softball a lot of years and it shows.”