SETTING THE SCENE: With a very strong core of returning players dotting its roster, the Milford High School softball team begins its 2017 season over Spring Break as they chase a fourth straight Eastern Cincinnati Conference Championship and a deep OHSAA Tournament run. The season begins with some excitement as the Eagles will play three games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. MHS is also scheduled to return to Ohio to compete in the Cincinnati Reds Futures Showcase vs. Ursuline.

A LOOK AT THE EAGLES: Milford has a bevy of talent back from last season’s Eastern Cincinnati Conference Championship team that finished 21-4 after being eliminated from the OHSAA Tournament by Oak Hills. The list of headliners starts with Milford’s “big three” in seniors Katelyn Rheude, Kelsey Seitz and Valerie Thompson. All three are multi-time All-ECC selections who put up big numbers as juniors. Rhedue has manned third base throughout her career and enjoyed her best offensive season last year (.390/12 XBH/30 RBI). Seitz has been a star since day one of her career and earned ECC Player of the Year accolades as a sophomore. After returning from injury early last year, Seitz (.571/13 XBH/28 RBI/8 SB) led the Eagles in almost every offensive category despite missing several games. Thompson emerged as a star in the circle for the Eagles, while also performing admirably at the plate, finishing with 19 wins, an ERA of just over one and 134 strikeouts.

Sophomore Katelyn Reynolds (.481/14 XBH/23 RBI/7 SB) burst on the scene in a big way last spring and should be even better with a year of varsity experience under her belt. The Eagles should also benefit from the return of senior Hannah Meenach and juniors Katie Hall and Sydnee Harris who all took last year off from competing.

THE UPCOMING DOCKET: A look at Milford’s schedule for the upcoming week:

• Monday, March 27-Thursday, March 30 ESPN Wide World of Sports Trip (Orlando, FL)
  • Monday, March 27 vs. Appleton High School (WI), 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 29 vs. Deerfield High School (IL), 12:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 30 vs. Badger High School (WI), 12:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 1 vs. Ursuline Academy (at P&G Cincinnati MLB Youth Academy Field #4), 4:00 p.m.
  • 2016 Record: 13-13, 6-4 GGCL (RV Division I area coaches’ preseason poll)
  • Top Returning Hitter: Junior Emily Young (.605/17 XBH/19 RBI/26 SB)
  • Top Returning Pitcher: Junior Sarah Mehrle (5.36 ERA/2-1 record)
  • Last Meeting: 2015; Milford 6, Ursuline 0

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s returning statistical leaders from last season:

Batting Average: Kelsey Seitz (.571), Katelyn Reynolds (.481), Katelyn Rheude (.390)

Slugging Percentage: Kelsey Seitz (.893), Katelyn Reynolds (.709), Katelyn Rheude (.610)

On Base Percentage: Kelsey Seitz (.636), Katelyn Reynolds (.558), Katelyn Rheude (.462)

Runs Scored: Katelyn Reynolds (34), Katelyn Rheude/Kelsey Seitz (29)

Hits: Katelyn Reynolds (38), Kelsey Seitz (32), Katelyn Rheude (30)

RBI: Kelsey Seitz (28), Katelyn Reynolds/Katelyn Rheude (23)

Doubles: Katelyn Reynolds (11), Katelyn Rheude/Kelsey Seitz (8)

Triples: Kelsey Seitz (5), Katelyn Rheude (3), Katelyn Reynolds (2)

Home Runs: Katelyn Reynolds/Katelyn Rheude (1)

Walks: Katelyn Reynolds (14), Katelyn Rheude (9), Kelsey Seitz (8)

Stolen Bases: Kelsey Seitz (8), Katelyn Reynolds (7), Katelyn Rheude (4)

Wins: Valerie Thompson (19), Reilly Edwards (2)

Saves: None

ERA: Valerie Thompson (1.01), Reilly Edwards (3.09)

Innings: Valerie Thompson (145.2), Reilly Edwards (11.1)

Opponents Batting Average: Valerie Thompson (.165), Reilly Edwards (.179)

Strikeouts: Valerie Thompson (134), Reilly Edwards (11)

POLL WATCH: The Cincinnati Enquirer’s preseason Division I area coaches’ poll shows Milford as the No. 4 team ranked team according to the 20 voting coaches. Mason is the heavy favorite with 16 first place votes, followed by Lakota West with four and Lebanon just ahead of the Eagles. Lakota East rounds out the top-five. The ECC is well represented with Turpin in ninth, Kings in 10^th and Loveland among teams receiving votes. The coaches’ poll is released every Monday at Noon at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.

COLLEGE BOUND EAGLES: A pair of seniors on the 2017 Eagles’ roster have already announced their intention to continue their athletic and academic careers on the collegiate level. Kelsey Seitz will attend will attend Trevecca Nazarene University, while Valerie Thompson has signed a National Letter of Intent at Tennessee State University.