I thought I would send my final HS softball post as a mini tribute to the four seniors

that the 'Birds graduated this year. I'm sure it won't compare in any way to the awesome work that LB13 does but I wanted to throw it out there if for any reason to show my thanks for a pretty fun four years of getting to watch them play. Two of them, Shelby and Haley, were pillars before I arrived but I have little info prior, so I will refer to numbers I have so I apologize for not having complete stats...

 

I will write a little about each one individually but here they are...

Shelby Graybill.... Louisville

Haley Coffey.... Taylor University

Bailey Spencer.... Thomas More

Brennah Dutcher.... Denison

Shelby Graybill

This kid is the consummate player... Hard worker no doubt, but harder on herself than most kids I have ever been around. Her power in the box is undeniable and really scary at times. Her reputation is well-earned and respected. She led by example and made it a point to always help the younger ones when possible. She led the way in helping others understand the importance of competing at high levels and the Birds have more kids playing travel ball seeing the benefits because of her. I don't know all the teams she has played for but Cincy Static and Louisville Sluggers are two top level organizations the she excelled with. She also is a very strong catcher and infielder. It has been mentioned before that she has played in all nine positions during her time as a Bird and wherever you put her, she is always more than capable and top notch.

 

Even with a significant injury battle her Senior Year, she recorded 10 HRs, 15 2B and had a SLG% of .901

 

Some offensive numbers...

In the last four years she has earned the top spot in the following stats:

Hits...202

RBIs...171

2B...66

HRs...32

Walks...44

BA... .525

SLG... .976

 

Fielding

 

Her Fielding % over the last 4 is a nice number of .961 in 483 chances compiling only 19 errors.

 

 

I mentioned they all have been a joy to watch but it's always fun watching her hit! Thanks Shelby for putting up with me these past 4 years and giving me the opportunity to watch one of the best hitters in the business.

Haley Coffey

Nobody has anchored the SS position better over the last four years than this kid. It does not matter how hard it's hit or where... if she can get a glove on it she will and then make the play. Her range is unbelievable and if there is a kid in the Birds roster that absolutely does not mind getting dirty, it's this one. The pre-game infield was as much a joy to watch as the real thing. Her coach never took it easy on any of them and more often than not, she was filthy before the National Anthem was played. Kids earn their nicknames from me... Hers can't be more appropriate... "D.B.Cooper" D.B. for "Dirty Bird" (she defines that) and D.B. Cooper for the many many hits she has robbed throughout the years.

 

Her play raises everyone's game just by example. She is a fierce competitor and strong leader.

 

Offensively Haley led the Bird's over the last four years with 38 steals (probably was more but I use Defensive Indifference too much as I discovered late this year.

She also led in Runs Scored with 137.

 

She batted .400 and had a .580 SLG% playing a good portion of the year with a torn ligament in her wrist... Did I mention "Gamer"?

 

Love this kid and wish her nothing but the best at Taylor!

Bailey Spencer

A stalwart in the circle and intensity drives this kid. I've been around many pitchers.. both baseball and softball and the story has always been to try and get in the pitcher's head. I'm not sure I have seen this out of her... ever. The more upset she gets, the more focused she becomes. If Bailey had the I'm mad at the world look, time to give in... she was usually winning that battle. What some don't realize is Bailey fields the circle as well as any. She has taken what most would be hits and turned them into outs.

 

She came to the Birds her Freshman year along with Brennah Dutcher and owned the circle from day one. Great control and it's been fun watching her progress. I always wanted to try and get in there and take a couple hacks just to see.... thank goodness I never had the opportunity.

 

Some of Bailey's numbers over the past 4 years.... (also understand that this team rarely had "gimmies" on the schedule and if they did, Bailey did not pitch them.

 

4 years

ERA 2.37

Ks 539

BBs 178

IP 680

Wins 80

 

Just thought I would post some of her numbers against Northern KY teams this year. Again, there were a couple games she did not pitch as we needed to get others some time.

 

IP 89.1

Wins 15

Losses 0

Hits 47

ABs 334

Ks 94

Walks 17

ERA .078

Earned runs in 15 games "1"

 

Had zero walks in 11 of the 15 games

 

Double digit Ks in multiple games including twice against NCC (Sorry LB, had to throw that in.

 

Best of Luck "Spike" on your future... we'll be watching

Edited August 23, 201610 yr by Playtowin29
word violation

Brennah Dutcher

Probably the toughest one to talk about. I have had the pleasure of having this kid in my life the past 5 years and while throwing a 14 yo teen aged girl at me having never had to raise a daughter was quite an awakening for me, I can say that I can't be more proud of her both on and off the field. Let's see, take a teenage girl from the only home she has ever known, to a state known for Whiskey, Horses and "The Turtleman". Away from all her friends and move her to a home where she can see a high school and softball field from our back deck but make her go to a school 15 miles away. I really didn't earn many points starting off. But even though she said "I will never wear Blue and White" She has become the definition of a Bluebird. Our choice for her to gain from Highlands what she has, both academically and athletically, has shown to be a good one.

Brennah came to us from the Great White North affectionately the "Tundra" as I call it in Wisconsin. I think they have a softball season of about 3 days in WI so needless to say, she had some catching up to do when she got here. Brennah was part of the "Sisters of Swat" as I like to call them, Shelby and Brennah. Kind of a pick your poison with these two.

 

Brennah started out as third baseman her freshman year and moved to first as a sophomore. While third had been her primary position her entire young career, the switch seemed to work for both her and the team.

 

While Brennah is probably more known for her battles at the plate, she anchored first base and became automatic as time progressed.

 

Some of Brennah's stats over her four years....

BA .471

SLG% .678

RBIs 147

2B 45

3B 9

HRs 6

Surprisingly 18 SBs

 

2016 was a Banner year for Bren as she led the team in the following categories:

BA .527

Hits 58

RBIs 35

2B 17

3B 3

 

As I mentioned earlier, her fielding was more than spectacular with only 1 error in 205 chances for a .995 fielding % (team leader).... over her 4 years, she had a .973 fielding % with 709 chances.

 

For a Kid that had no intentions of ever playing beyond High School, she earned the opportunity to attend and play for Denison University where she is heading to Sunday. Interesting part... she was recruited as a third baseman.

 

Great job Kid... Very Proud Papa here

Well done sir. :ylsuper:

 

As much as it was a pleasure to watch all four of these girls over the years, THANK GOD they are gone. :lol2:

 

All kidding aside, I wish them nothing but the best at the next level. They were all great players, and even better young ladies.

Very nice job playtowin29. Congrats to all the young ladies and wish them much success.

I thought I would send my final HS softball post as a mini tribute to the four seniors

that the 'Birds graduated this year. I'm sure it won't compare in any way to the awesome work that LB13 does but I wanted to throw it out there if for any reason to show my thanks for a pretty fun four years of getting to watch them play. Two of them, Shelby and Haley, were pillars before I arrived but I have little info prior, so I will refer to numbers I have so I apologize for not having complete stats...

 

I will write a little about each one individually but here they are...

Shelby Graybill.... Louisville

Haley Coffey.... Taylor University

Bailey Spencer.... Thomas More

Brennah Dutcher.... Denison

 

These 4 will be missed!

:cry:

Edited August 24, 201610 yr by AllenR

Shelby Graybill

 

Haley Coffey

 

Bailey Spencer

 

Brennah Dutcher

Thanks DWC. You're the best

Great write-ups, Playtowin! Thanks for sharing!

Nice job on the pic's Allen.