Playtowin29

Highlands used the "step-off" method tonight and I don't think the girl who did it will have to go to any therapy....

Bailey Spencer just missed a perfect against the LadyCats last meeting giving up a seventh inning two strike two out hit but she bounced back in this one going perfect in the 3 inning game. Striking out the last 5 batters. The offense figured out the pitching tonight collecting 15 hits in their two innings at the plate. Haley Coffey 2-3. 2b 3 stolen bases Morgan Coffey 2-3 2b 3 rbis Shelby Graybill 2-3 2b rbi (her double had to leave a dent in the fence and was about a foot from being a HR) Brennah Dutcher 2-2 bb Rachel Gabbard 3-3 4 rbis sb Ella Grimm 1-1 rbi Cloe Jansen 2-2 2 Rbis Brooke Dill 1-3 3b 2 rbis The Birds will meet Newport Central Catholic in the district championship at 5:00 Thursday at the Bird Cage.

So the question... The east west senior/junior game in NKY. Have players been nominated for that yet?

Assuming that stat is correct....

What time is this shindig?

Congrats Wally!!!

For what is worth, both teams have some distant neighbors to the north that has been a fierce, competitive rivalry for as long as I can remember in CCHS and Brossart. The meetings are usually tight but if there ever was a game that had the chance to be this lopsided, I can't imagine either coach Kitchen or coach Baynum ever trying to embarrass the other. The same goes for the Newcath/HHS rivalry. Get to the run rule and step off or change something to end the game. Respect and kharma tend to always find a way to enter the equation. The latter can get ugly. Take HHS football for instance. For all the success that came to the Birds with the previous leadership, the thing that always bugged this poster was this type of attitude of seeing how many digits can be put on the board. Our friend Kharma reared her ugly head at them this year at times and they had it coming. I know this isn't the philosophy of the new leadership but it will take a while to remove the retaliation aspect. There is a reason why in summer ball tournaments there is usually a max run differential in games even though it is part of the seeding process. For instance, you can win by a 35-0 score but you may only get 8 runs to show for it.

You say that now but if DLG 1,2 and 3.0 asked, you'd be dancing while delivering your printer parts....

I'm realizing today that it's not 1981 anymore and I have a true respect for real dancers!!! Hey Bren seemed to get a chuckle out of it and that's what I was shooting for... All in good fun

Again great night, but more importantly is the the leadership these four have exhibited throughout their career at HHS! Even when times were not as rosy, these girls have found a way to persevere and rally the troops around the goals set forth by the program. They lead, not only verbally but back it up with there actions more importantly. When someone is struggling, they reach out and lend a hand or advice. Everyone wants to be the Best at what they do, but they don't live or play for that. Their focus is on winning and preparing the TEAM for runs at titles. If Bailey has an off night (rarely happens) she knows her defense will have her back. No question. When Brennah or Shelby are in a brief funk, they lift each other up. Haley doesn't need to say a word although she does when needed, as her defensive play speaks volumes. As parents, we all sometimes get caught up in who's the best at whatever stat is out there. I'm guilty as charged in that aspect. But that just isn't the case with this group. Very proud to have had the opportunity to get to know these young ladies and cannot wait to see what their future brings them.

I'm passing that torch down down to you two... Great night all around... Looking forward already to the #JLow and #MickeyA rendition in a couple years

Or maybe I drank one....

I plead the fifth?

Bittersweet day for this poster as the Birds took on the Greendevils tonight on Senior night at the Birdcage. Dayton came out swinging the bats and did a nice job putting the bat on the ball. Brennah Dutcher had a big senior night going 2-3 with a 3 run Johnson and a double. Bailey Spencer continued her ninth region dominance with 8 Ks and no walks. Bailey has given up 1 earned run in 89 innings against NKY opponents for a .078 era. The Senior night festivities were awesome as all the seniors tonight were honored including three year starter, Khrystian Windeler from Dayton along with the Birds Seniors, Coffey, Dutcher, Greybill and Spencer. All moving on to do great things. Windeler Heading to the Army Reserves, Coffey to Taylor, Dutcher to Denison, Greybill to Louisville and Spencer to Thomas More... Special thanks to the parents who put out the spread for both teams and the fans to enjoy... Special night... Only 11 more wins to go...

Congrats "auntie O"

Awesome congrats to all the ladies!

I would like to hear about players going on to play in college. It seems like we are getting more that get that opportunity. There have been some info individual threads but trying to get them all some deserved recognition in one place. I'll start... Haley Coffey... HHS .... Taylor University Brennah Dutcher... HHS... Denison University Shelby Graybill.... HHS.... Louisville Bailey Spencer... HHS... Thomas More Makenzie Irons...Ryle... Sinclair Others?

My 2 cents is this. This group that puts this on has the best interest of the players at heart. They work with the information provided them. I believe their mission is to promote softball and recognize as best they can. The vote is what it is. If it ends up with co-players of the year, great for both players. Some have a different opinion on that but not I. It didn't take anything away from either player. The only thing that has bothered me about the whole voting process was the time Smith was black balled. As far as the timing, it seems this year it was later and that makes it better. It needs to be completed before districts which this year timing is perfect. The only thing that could be altered would be to only send in stats against NKY teams. But from what I have heard, it's hard enough to get stats from everyone as it is, much less trying to separate only the NKY stats. As far as playing up in competition, Highlands does that as well as anyone. Have they taken a couple lumps along the way, sure. But if you told me they would be able to compete against teams like Bullit East (lost 4-3 against Roby louisville commit) Greenwood win and Woodford lost 6-0 against their #1 who signed with UK, at the beginning of the year I would have said no way. Interesting thing is, the girls love playing in those games. Do they like taking a loss, absolutly not but they go into each with the thought that they can compete. For Highlands, this is a special team. While the reason behind the schedule is to prepare the ladies for tourney time, I believe in my DDs case, it will help her more next year at the next level. She has had the opportunity to face quite a few future D1 level pitchers over the last couple years between HS ball and travel ball and that is always good.

One of the kids on Crus list is hitting about .530 with a SLG % in the .850 range And that's against the schedule the Birds the Birds play. May not be the player you're thinking of...And also has a fielding percentage of .993 with over 150 chances. Her lone error came against Butler I believe. Just for giggles, I think I'm going to check the stats against only NKY teams and see if there is any difference. And by the way, her double against ST. Henry would also have been out on most fields.

Awesome LB. Thanks for all the effort you put into this. Much appreciated

Situation. No runners on ump was about 15 feet behind first. Seemed to be looking at a play at first... Just not this one...lol I appreciate the thankless job umps do but at some point you just need to hang up the mask. The plate ump was calling strikes before the ball ever reached the plate as well. Kinda a shame a game of this caliber, or any game for that matter, can be affected by things like this.

Pretty cool write up for the ladies. They have had a pretty good journey... So far... Still work to do though. Would love to hear about other Seniors as well. HHS has one of their nemesis tonight in NDA (the other Blue and Gold team) and they are graduating 4 as well I believe. Close to Rylie Stephenson and Katelyn Baker and wish them well. Sorry for leaving out the other two but to them as well. As the regular season comes to a close, on behalf of the Birds, I would thank all the Seniors in KY for their efforts and wish them a successful path in whatever their next adventure brings them.

The Birds drop another 12-2 to Apollo. Not there but I heard Haley Coffey sent one over the Centerfield fence. Congrats Coop!!! She hit one hard to the fence last night.

I will give props the Zoie Barth and Haley Coffey. Made some nice plays at third. Not much other defensive support for Bailey. Sad you can't give errors for lack of trying plays. And yes, mine was one of them. I really hope Haley rips them a new one. Not the team I'm used to watching. Tomorrows a new day and like T Bird said.. Wake up ladies.

Not only is she a top pitcher, she leads the state according to MaxPreps in Homeruns. Three of the top ten in homers are on the EJ squad