Playtowin29

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

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

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!

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.

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

That's what the pond in the back yard is for.... Really would love to have a cannon to fire off the back deck though... Might have to get the ole' 12 gauge out since we are out here in the county... Either that or get the Bob White Club to have a shootout... Still wish they would have put the scoreboard on the other end of the field... May just have to don some Blue and White and walk over for this one

Birds blackballed again.... Lol

They had a couple that had more than the speed needed... But it doesn't matter how fast you are or how good of hands they have if you can't get the ball to them. None had stellar numbers but some were still noticed enough their junior year to get the opportunity to play at the next level.

Enlighten us please...

Congrats to the Camels! Especially Carson... Had to be all those extra swings in T-ball. Wish nothing but the best for the Camels today. Bring the title home to Claryville!!!

He's on the recruit list for Denison. Trying to work a deal here. They have awesome facilities but no "BIg ReD Feeder"

And LB. We cannot forget our friend who works tirelessly getting awesome shots of our girls.... Allen DWCphoto.com Ramsey can't say enough about this guy either

You did... LB. Thank you for all you do for all of NKY softball players. Not only for this game but the whole year 'round. It's been a pleasure meeting you and the banter the last four years. Mine is off to the next level but I'm sure I'll be around a bit. The programs in NKY have clearly moved up the ladder and due in part to the effort guys like you do to promote our girls. Wish all the DLGs success (well except for a couple games a year.) JK I don't think its to late to leave the Dark Side and have a slice of cake with some "good" Blue Kool Aid... Thanks again

That was the first thing that crossed my mind at the Girls tourney when Graybill hit hers out. The left fielder pushed thru the fence. First thing I looked at were the umps.

Well then maybe some would... Hey I don't have a dog in the fight anymore. (Probably not PC but she's mine and I can say that)

But I will... Haley Coffey 5 tool player for sure AND has played thru injuries that would have ended seasons for most players. Although I'm still trying to figure out how you spike yourself in the thigh at State??? Love that kid

I'll help JOAT out on this one... Again, I do not want to slight Kennedy Baugh or Joe Stephenson at all. Joe is a great coach and better person and Kennedy has been a joy to watch these past couple years. Both very talented and if they were not in the discussion there would be an even bigger slight. 9th Region Coach When you look at the body of work this year, no doubt Rob Coffey should have been a shoe in. He scheduled harder than anyone in the region, won both districts and region, and while the state record was 1-2, lost to Daviess County 8-5 (one of the last four in) and McCracken (who just beat Madisonville to get to the Championship game) 6-2. Undefeated against 9th Region teams who scored a whopping 16 ( 9 earned) runs against them in 20 games. 9th Region Player(s) of the year I say players because there are two that I feel would be a tough choice to choose between. Pitchers usually get the nod but both deserve some recognition... Bailey Spencer Pitcher HHS Bailey has been a rock in the circle all 4 years at HHS but really excelled this year. Against 9th region opponents she was 17-0 with no earned runs until the post season. Even with the post season added in her ERA is a whopping 0.41. 112 Strikeouts against 16 walks. That and not pitching in three games where she could have easily added another 10 or 15 Ks. Against all opponents she had 155 Ks against 32 BBs with a combined ERA of 2.33. Without Bailey, no way this team wins region, let alone go to State. Brennah Dutcher 1st Base HHS Maybe not who you would think would be on my list but this kid has earned the right to be here. Always been known as the "other hitter" at HHS, was bound and determined to change that. She led Highlands in almost all hitting stats from the beginning of the year. The only hitting stat she could not overcome was the home runs, that is owned by Shelby (10) and rightfully so. She also ended the year tied with Shelby for RBIs at 35. But here are her stats for both 9th Region opponents and combined. At the State tournament she went 5-10 with 2-2B... just below her average against some pretty good pitching. 9th Region Team Rank AB 55 1 Hits 32 1 Runs 32 3 RBIs 24 1 2B 12 1 3B 3 1 HR 3 2 SB 3 6 SLG% 1.073 1 AVG .582 1 Combined Team Rank AB 110 1 Hits 58 1 Runs 27 3 RBIs 35 T1 2B 17 1 3B 3 1 HR 3 2 SB 7 3 SLG% .818 2 AVG .527 1 Brennah isn't just a hitter. Not too shabby at fielding either. Against 9th region FLD% 1.000 out of 124 chances Combined .995 out of 204 chances (1 error in the first game of the year). 1st basemen rarely get any credit for defense... I guess because ever throw hits them in the chest... sure they do... She ranks number one in that category as well with anyone over 5 chances. Am I a homer, absolutely, but that has nothing to do with the numbers. I would be OK with either of these two earning some credit. And no, I m not the one who posted in another thread about POY by the NKY coaches and that Division II was wrong... I don't put much stock in that award as either coaches do not review the stats or play games with the voting. Until the individual votes are made public, no sense in giving that credit. I love that the kids get some recognition and well deserved. I just heard a comment that if we made the votes public, the coaches would all get mad at each other for not voting for their kid. Pretty lame excuse. Man up, vote for you who you think is having the best current year and stand behind your votes. If it is what you feel, you should have no problem letting everyone know your vote.

"Cain was the MVP of the East with six catches for 135 yards on the night." Congrats Mitchell... Kid can do amazing things when he has a QB that can get him the rock. Best wishes at Wittenburg!!!

This feels a little weird to me, feeling ok posting after a loss. But I could not be more proud of our Birds and how they bounced back for this game after a tough loss to Davies. They fought from the first pitch and held their own against one of the elite in the state. I'll post more details later but great season Birds! Proud of ya

2 est. McCrackin

Yep the Birds let one slip away. Some timely hits and a couple miscues in the field cost them. Can't let up on any innings against this level of competition. Great to still be playing though. Get the pleasure of playing McCrackin next. Flush it and move on. Go Birds. I must say, at least they drug the fields today. Yesterday's conditions were terrible. Felt like we were playing in the Valley again. For anyone that's ever been here, you know what I mean.

The Birds pound out 13 hits behind Bailey Spencer's 6 Ks and only giving up two hits to take the first game of the State Tournament. Five players had two hits. Two double plays helped squelch a couple threats by the Lady Cards.

All I want to know is .... Can she play softball... That's the important question here!!!

My comment wasn't directed at the kids although I can see how it may have been taken that way. More so at the "grasshopper" comment. Heck, I coached one of the kids on the CCHS softball team in summer ball the last couple years. As well as a year or two coaching middle school and AAU basketball in the county. A year asst Frosh Baseball coach. Sent two kids thru the system. One a very talented Musician and the other a pretty good baseball player, until the joke of an administration decided Geoff Boeseker and Steve Hamilton would not be brought back way back when. He chose to concentrate on other endeavors. Happy for the Baseball Program this year. The intent of my original comment was about how there is no official KHSAA all state team, players or coaches. If for some reason you're not part of the club, there is a slim to none chance of being nominated, let alone selected. The Camels had a pretty successful year and happy for them as well. Best wishes to them in the future.

Any details on the game?