When a team makes the routine plays, good results usually follow.
But when you toss in a handful of outstanding ones as well, you're ahead of the game. And odds are you've gone a long way toward winning it.
The Blair Oaks Lady Falcons had four outstanding plays in the field Thursday and went on to post a 9-1 win against the Helias Lady Crusaders at Duensing Field.
"There were a lot of good things about the game, but the defense really stood out," Blair Oaks coach Sharon Buschjost said. "Some of the catches we made tonight I was joking would make it on our version of web gems.
"I'm not going to say it's all in a day's work, but we have the potential to make plays like that."
The Lady Crusaders could do little but tip their caps afterward.
"They made every play, they were impressive on defense," Helias coach Dan Campbell said. "(Peyton) Staggs was tough on the mound and when they make plays like they did in this game, they're especially tough to beat."
The Lady Falcons made a pair of great defensive plays in the second inning - a diving catch by shortstop Jolie Duffner on a pop fly and a throw to third by catcher Taylor Markway to pick off a Lady Crusader with the bases loaded to end the frame.
Then in the fifth, Blair Oaks third baseman Lauren Viessman made a diving catch on a fouled bunt attempt near the plate.
"I've been complimenting Lauren's play all season, she's been making plays that I don't think most third basemen could make," Buschjost said.
Staggs had to fight to give up just one run. She allowed seven hits and five walks while striking out eight.
"She had to work really hard in the circle," Buschjost said. "She had to battle through a lot of innings, that's going to happen sometimes. You may get a tighter strike zone than you want, but she didn't let it affect her at the plate."
Staggs finished with four hits, three of which were doubles, and four RBI in the victory.
"She's a complete player," Buschjost said.
Staggs' double in the first inning came with two outs and drove home Markway, who had led off the game with a double against Helias starter Lindsey Steinbeck.
"I thought Lindsey threw a great change-up, but (Staggs) stayed back on it and drove it," Campbell said.
Blair Oaks added single runs in the second on a double steal and the third on Staggs' second double to make it 3-0. Helias got one run back in the bottom of the third when Kaylie LeCuru doubled home designated runner Abby Masek.
But that was all the Lady Crusaders could get against Staggs. Helias stranded 10 runners in the game, including five in scoring position.
"We left way too many," Campbell said. "(Staggs) buckled down when she had to. But we have to come through in those situations, at least make them field a hard-hit ball or something."
The Lady Falcons made it 4-1 in the fifth on an RBI single by Ashley Forck. Blair Oaks then added five runs in the seventh on five singles, a walk and an error.
Blair Oaks ended the game with what looks to be a routine play in the scorebook, but in reality, isn't because of all the moving parts.
Helias had the bases loaded with one out and hit a comebacker to the mound Staggs fielded and threw home to Markway for the force out. Markway then stepped into the clear to throw to first to complete the double play.
"Once the catcher gets it, she has to make sure she has a throwing lane to first base and the first baseman has to make sure she can see that same lane from the catcher," Buschjost said. "Things have to work right."
Blair Oaks, which finished with 12 hits, will take a 4-0 record into the Capital City Invitational that starts today at Binder Park.
"We want some games, it's nice to know we're going to get four of them," Buschjost said. "It's going to provide an opportunity to take a closer look at this team. It will help get us up to full speed for the rest of the season and should hopefully solidify some positions."
Helias (4-6) will play Monday at North Callaway.
There was no JV game Thursday.