HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - It seems to be a new Highlands tradition.

 

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team has lit things up in May the past two years going 28-1 in that crucial month. The end result is a second straight trip to the 9th Region title game against the arch-rival Notre Dame Pandas after shutting out the Conner Lady Cougars, 6-0 Wednesday in the semifinals at Northern Kentucky University.

 

"We figured if we could put five (runs) on the board, we would have a pretty good shot," said Rob Coffey, Highlands Head Coach. "We're tough to score on. You have to string a lot of hits together to beat us. A lot of our fundamentals are paying off now."

 

Game time is 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the same location. Notre Dame edged Ryle, 2-1 in the second semifinal contest.

 

In three years with Coffey as head coach, the Ladybirds have at least made the 9th Region semifinals. They rallied past Notre Dame, 8-7 in the region title game last year after losing to the Pandas, 3-0 in the semifinals in 2013.

 

Highlands (24-8) has won 15 of its last 16 games to reach this point after winning 19 in a row into the state tournament last year. The Ladybirds have outscored their four postseason opponents, 35-1 with three straight shutouts. Highlands has 11 shutouts on the season and moved to 20-0 when holding opponents to one or no runs.

 

The difference in this game came in the right column of the box score. Conner recorded five errors and Highlands had none.

 

"It all starts in the fall. We all get ground balls quick," Haley Coffey said. "Everyone is running around working as hard. With the errors, that's just amazing. We win when we execute."

 

Conner (26-6) only saw three runners reach base on three singles and only one reached second base. At one point, Highlands junior pitcher Bailey Spencer retired 17 Lady Cougar batters in a row. Only four balls off the Conner bats even made it past the infield.

 

"When Bailey is dealing like she is now, I have to give credit to our infield," Coach Coffey said. "Our infield takes pride in not letting balls go out of the infield. That helps our game. We take balls off our chest and play through it. Any one of our infielders would take a bullet for Bailey to not let the ball through."

 

Conner center fielder Jenna Hicks had two of those singles. She singled to lead off the first and Hannah Darling bunted her to second. But Spencer retired the next two batters.

 

Hick then recorded the next Conner hit with two out in the sixth inning. But Darling popped out leaving her at third. Then in the seventh inning, Conner right fielder Alexa Snelbaker singled with two out and Corin Crawford ran for her. But Elizabeth Sims popped out to Highlands shortstop Haley Coffey to leave her at first and end the game.

 

Offensively, Highlands recorded 10 hits. Senior lead-off hitter Whitney Quillen led the Ladybirds going 3-for-4 with two triples. Quillen has six triples on the season including three in the postseason. Quillen scored after the two triples. Shelby Graybill hit a sacrifice fly to left to score her in the third to make it 3-0 Ladybirds. She also scored to lead off the fifth when the Conner outfielder missed the cut-off. That gave Highlands a 4-0 advantage.

 

"I was just trying to do my job getting on base for my teammates to get me in," Quillen said. "I try to reassure (my teammates) that everything is alright. It's just another game. We all came out and contributed so I'm really proud."

 

Haley Coffey and Brennah Dutcher recorded two singles each for Highlands. Dutcher batted in two and Graybill had three RBI.

 

Highlands scored twice in the top of the first and never looked back. Haley Coffey singled off Sims before Shelby Graybill beat out a throw from Conner shortstop Bethany Maines after Maines looked Haley Coffey back to second. With two out, Dutcher doubled Haley Coffey and Graybill home.

 

The Ladybirds added two more runs in the fifth. Haley Coffey singled and Shelby Graybill blasted one over the center field wall. That made the final score of 6-0 as Quillen, Haley Coffey and Graybill all scored twice.

 

Both Spencer and Sims pitched the entire game. Sims struck out five and Spencer rung up three.

 

"I've seen (Sims) be almost unhittable at times," Coach Coffey said. "She gets in the groove and gets you thinking about what's coming next. She has enough speed that she can throw it by you when her off-speed stuff is working. We put the ball against her. That was our goal."

 

The Ladybirds want another chance in Owensboro after going 1-2 in the state tournament last year. Highlands beat Estill County to open the tournament before losing to Owensboro Apollo and Ashland the next day. Notre Dame went 1-2 in the tournament the previous year.

 

Fort Thomas Matters Sports: Highlands shuts out Conner in 9th Softball Semifinals

Very disappointing on many levels last night if you were a Conner fan. I will keep my thoughts on the performance and the antics on the field to myself and focus on Highlands because they deserve it. Highlands was the much better team and is playing with a lot of energy and confidence. Really good defensive effort last night although it didn't take much as Conner didn't hit the ball hard at any point. Kudos to the Highlands pitcher for that. She kept the cougars off balance all night. The senior third baseman for Highlands is fun to watch. Thomas Moore is getting a great deal with her. Great glove and hits the ball hard it seems every time she's at the plate. It's awesome that her family and friends get to watch her play right down the street at the next level. Good luck to the Birds tonight and moving forward which I'm sure they will. Represent the 9th and kick some butt.

Congrats to HHS! Quillen is a little spark plug! Infectious smile and all business. We don't get to watch much softball, but the few times we have she doesn't disappoint. For that matter the entire team. Well discipline and fun bunch to watch. I will be in the gym tonight but good luck. Will look for LB updates!

I like to challenge everyone who hasn't seen Haley Coffey play SS to come out and watch her tonight. She is by far the best in the Biz! IMO....

 

You will not find a more heady kid to play with. Always knows when to have fun but also knows when it's time to get down to Business. Every since she has joined this team after nursing a Basketball related injury, Highlands has been on fire! Every girl seems to want to play like Haley and it is showing.

 

I keep telling people who ask me how the Softball team is doing and if Highlands continues to be as fundamentally sound as I have seen them play, they will be a tough out not only in the Region but down State.

 

They still have to take care of some serious business tonight but this isn't the Highlands of old. It's a new Culture in Ft Thomas and we expect to win. Coach Coffey and his staff have been drilling this into the girls heads for the last 3 years and it's becoming infectious. I never knew my daughter had that fire in her until being part of Rob's program. And I like it! Rob told us 3 years ago that if we didn't want to part of something very special and didn't want to put the extra work in, then Softball wasn't for us. He is definitely very demanding in fundamentals and limiting mental mistakes and that is something that is very hard to coach to girls....

 

I ran into and was sitting with a old Softball buddy that I use to play with and he had his 5th grade daughter with him. He joked and ask me for my wife's number to see if she could find him a house after watching Highlands play. He liked what he saw and admired the product(Coaching) Highlands has to offer. And it helped that he was a Kentucky King at one time with Coach Coffey.:thumb:

And I don't want to leave out Shelby Graybill. Wow is she a Freak! How often do you see a Catcher run to and from their position? Shelby just does all the little things right on and off the field! Did I also mention she can hit?:lol2:

 

My daughter thinks Shelby hung the moon and she is probably right. Her and a couple of the other girls have made the younger players like my daughter feel like they are very part of this wonderful program. It's amazing to see 17 year old girls lead by example and show their gratitude by supporting the younger girls via a simple text or phone call of "Hey good luck" when the older and younger schedules conflict.

 

We have 3 years left to play for Highlands and hopefully my daughter takes the extra time needed and is able to be fortunate enough to be part of this special run that Highlands is getting ready to go on.

 

Maybe someday my daughter will be the girl that Leads by example.

Edited May 28, 201511 yr by THUNDERBIRDS

Really felt bad for "Biz", 6 Regional Title games and no State appearance. Great player, and even better young lady........she was a pleasure to watch play the game.

 

Four Regional Title games, I think. but yeah, thought she would have got one.

And it helped that he was a Kentucky King at one time with Coach Coffey.:thumb:

Wow..... That's going way back... Congrats to Coff-drop and the lady birds. I really love what he is doing with that program. Keep it up RC and ladybirds.

Wow..... That's going way back... Congrats to Coff-drop and the lady birds. I really love what he is doing with that program. Keep it up RC and ladybirds.

 

Yes it is for sure. I must say that those were the days. I want to also add and I'm sure Coffey would love to chime in but he won't that I never lost to the Kentucky Kings. Wait for it.............:lol2:

I like to challenge everyone who hasn't seen Haley Coffey play SS to come out and watch her tonight. She is by far the best in the Biz! IMO.... You will not find a more heady kid to play with. Always knows when to have fun but also knows when it's time to get down to Business. Every since she has joined this team after nursing a Basketball related injury' date=' Highlands has been on fire! Every girl seems to want to play like Haley and it is showing. I keep telling people who ask me how the Softball team is doing and if Highlands continues to be as fundamentally sound as I have seen them play, they will be a tough out not only in the Region but down State. They still have to take care of some serious business tonight but this isn't the Highlands of old. It's a new Culture in Ft Thomas and we expect to win. Coach Coffey and his staff have been drilling this into the girls heads for the last 3 years and it's becoming infectious. I never knew my daughter had that fire in her until being part of Rob's program. And I like it! Rob told us 3 years ago that if we didn't want to part of something very special and didn't want to put the extra work in, then Softball wasn't for us. He is definitely very demanding in fundamentals and limiting mental mistakes and that is something that is very hard to coach to girls.... I ran into and was sitting with a old Softball buddy that I use to play with and he had his 5th grade daughter with him. He joked and ask me for my wife's number to see if she could find him a house after watching Highlands play. He liked what he saw and admired the product(Coaching) Highlands has to offer. And it helped that he was a Kentucky King at one time with Coach Coffey.:thumb:[/quote'] Haley gets it done! She gets dirty first and leads by example! Very fun to watch..

Yes it is for sure. I must say that those were the days. I want to also add and I'm sure Coffey would love to chime in but he won't that I never lost to the Kentucky Kings. Wait for it.............:lol2:

Ummm I'll chime in first since RC and I played for the Kings. I'm guessing you played for Randolph? Classic battles.

Conner coach Kristin Koors about her team in the Enquirer "They deserve a bigger stage, and a state appearance."

 

Assuming that's an accurate quote, I find it curious. I've always felt teams deserve nothing and should earn what they get. Who doesn't want a bigger stage and a State appearance? Just my 2 bucks.

Ummm I'll chime in first since RC and I played for the Kings. I'm guessing you played for Randolph? Classic battles.

 

Yes they were. Fortunately I was only 19 and played with a bunch of older seasoned players that blessed me with the opportunity. Miss those days for sure!

Yes they were. Fortunately I was only 19 and played with a bunch of older seasoned players that blessed me with the opportunity. Miss those days for sure!

 

Tbird old days for sure. Wife played for a man named Jim Foley 14/19 Marketing that kept note cards on the gals cycles so he didn't have to many crazies on the field at one time. We laugh hard about it now, but I am not sure it would work with today's society. LOL

That quote was said about Sims.

That quote was said about Sims.