ST. LOUIS (KTVI) — It’s typically the catcher or the pitcher trying to catch someone stealing. But over the weekend, a Missouri softball outfielder took matters into her own hands in a situation her coach hopes never happens again.
The Eureka Wildcats were in a season-opening tournament Saturday in Sullivan, and in between games, senior Katie Schweizer was cooling off in the car when she spotted someone going onto the bus of one of the competing schools.
Her coach, Mark Mosley, said she saw the man grab a bag containing seven or eight wallets and purses while the School of the Osage, the competing team, was on the field playing.
As her father was calling the police, Mosley said, Schweizer ran after the suspect, confronted him and said “that’s not yours.”
The man dropped the bag and ran.
“Never ever chase down an adult man again,” Mosley said he told Schweizer. “Do not make that a habit.”
Eureka and School of the Osage didn’t face off in the tournament, but Mosley said the Osage coaching staff bought everyone extra sunflower seeds and bubblegum as a reward.
The Wildcats won the tournament, going 5-0, with Schweizer scoring the championship-winning run.
“She’s a great kid,” Mosley said, and “an absolutely great teammate.” She evidently also has a new nickname: “The Sheriff,” the Rockwood School District said in a Facebook post.