Brossart Softball Took Care of Business - Cincinnati Enquirer article

[lawildcat]

Brossart softball took care of business

 

Maybe the Bishop Brossart coaches should order customized motivational wristbands every year for the softball team. That's what they did this season, stamping the rallying slogan "Unfinished Business" on every green rubber wristband.

 

The Mustangs responded by meeting every team goal but one on the way to a 22-17 finish, their best in three years. They were 11-2 in the 10th Region and 7-0 in the 37th District.

 

Included was their first 10th Region All "A" Classic championship in five years, their first two All "A" Classic state tournament wins, their first appearance in the state semifinals and a program-best third-place finish at the small-school tournament.

 

The Mustangs kept their stranglehold on the district, winning the tournament for the fifth consecutive season and extending their winning streak to 33 straight games in district play. Their last loss to a 37th District team was to Scott in the 2010 tournament final. They haven't lost a regular-season district game since 2008. They haven't lost to rival Campbell County since 2005.

 

The Mustangs' season ended with a 6-3 loss to Nicholas County on their home field in the first round of the 10th Region tournament, precluding a trip to state for the first time in 13 years.

 

"We wanted to get to the All "A" state tournament, win the 37th District and win the 10th Region," Brossart coach Tom Baynum said. "We got to state in the All "A". We won the district again. The only thing we didn't do was win the region."

 

Pitcher Karlie Shackelford finished her career third on the school's all-time list with over 80 wins and in the top-10 in career RBI. She said disappointment in the regional has given way to a better feeling when she looks at the season in total. She believes the team did well despite the loss of leadoff-hitting shortstop Amanda Graus, who missed the second half of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

 

"I think we had a strong year overall," said the departing senior. "We had a lot of good opportunities. We had a very good team."

 

Shackelford finished the season with a record of 19-13 with 13 shutouts and a 2.70 ERA. She's one of two seniors leaving the program. The other is infielder Jordyn Boesch. The Mustangs' ace has wrapped up her softball-playing career. She will be concentrating on studies while on the pre-med track at Northern Kentucky University. She wants to become a doctor working with premature babies.

 

When Shackelford was born, she was nine weeks early and weighed 2 pounds, 13 ounces. She's come a long way since spending the first months of her life in a hospital. She wants to help others in similar situations. She's been volunteering in the prenatal unit at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood.

 

"I'm excited because that is my dream, but it'll be hard not playing softball," said Shackelford. "Some Division II colleges were interested. I wrestled with the decision for a long time, and didn't make up my mind until the last week of the season."

 

While Shackelford was trying to determine the course of her future, battery mate Amanda Lloyd was busy erasing the past by obliterating the school single-season RBI record of 55 set in 2007 by Lyndsey Griffith. Lloyd, a junior, drove in 60 runs while batting .535 with 12 doubles, seven triples and two home runs.

 

"I couldn't have set the record without Ashley Childress and Riley Orth getting on base so much in front of me," said the Mustangs' catcher. "It's a mind-blowing number, 60 RBI, especially after everything got so hectic after Amanda got hurt. But I plan on breaking my record next season."

 

Lloyd was named 37th District tournament MVP, first-team all-conference, first-team all-state and first-team academic all-state. She continues the Lloyd family tradition of determination at Brossart. Her brother, Ryan Lloyd, wrestled despite being afflicted with Spina bifida. Her mother, Dawn Lloyd, joined the softball team this season as an assistant

 

Sister, Ashley Lloyd, played softball at Brossart before returning as an assistant a few years ago. It was Ashley Lloyd who ordered this year's motivational wristbands for the Mustangs.

[BirdBrain]

"I couldn't have set the record without Ashley Childress and Riley Orth getting on base so much in front of me," said the Mustangs' catcher. "It's a mind-blowing number, 60 RBI, especially after everything got so hectic after Amanda got hurt. But I plan on breaking my record next season."

 

This girl is a class act competitor. Congrats to BBHS on their season.

[greenandpurple]

It was a very sad day to see my DD throw her last pitch on the mound, especially the way the season ended. She has struggled back and forth making her decision not to play college ball, but with going Pre-Med, it would be a lot of undo pressure. I had a blast watching my DD in the Green uniform on the mound for 4 years and I thank the Brossart coaches and parents for a unforgettable experience. I also want to give a shout out to my DD battery mate, Amanda Lloyd. Congrats on the RBI record, it was so much fun to watch you this year. Finish even stronger your senior year and good luck. I also wish the girl that is going to be in the Circle replacing my DD all the luck next year. Remember to be proud to wear that B on your jersey, my DD was very Proud! :ylsuper:

[greenandpurple]

I don't want to forget to give a shout out to Jordyn Boesch. It's been a blast watching you grow out on the dirt. You play with all heart!

[Lawnboy13]

It was a very sad day to see my DD throw her last pitch on the mound, especially the way the season ended. She has struggled back and forth making her decision not to play college ball, but with going Pre-Med, it would be a lot of undo pressure. I had a blast watching my DD in the Green uniform on the mound for 4 years and I thank the Brossart coaches and parents for a unforgettable experience. I also want to give a shout out to my DD battery mate, Amanda Lloyd. Congrats on the RBI record, it was so much fun to watch you this year. Finish even stronger your senior year and good luck. I also wish the girl that is going to be in the Circle replacing my DD all the luck next year. Remember to be proud to wear that B on your jersey, my DD was very Proud! :ylsuper:

 

Be happy, you get to see her one more time on Wednesday night at the Sr. All-Star game.

[Lawnboy13]

"I couldn't have set the record without Ashley Childress and Riley Orth getting on base so much in front of me," said the Mustangs' catcher. "It's a mind-blowing number, 60 RBI, especially after everything got so hectic after Amanda got hurt. But I plan on breaking my record next season."

 

This girl is a class act competitor. Congrats to BBHS on their season.

 

Without question!!