News Archive

Tourney Rematches, Trip To Tennessee Highlight First Week Of Baseball Season

Posted on: March 23, 2017

SETTING THE SCENE: On the heels of one of the best years in the illustrious history of the Milford High School baseball program, the Eagles are set to open the 2017 season with a challenging set of games over the upcoming Spring Break. The Eagles, who have won or shared five consecutive conference championships, welcome back plenty of talent from last season’s 28-3 team that advanced to the OHSAA Regional Finals. The start to the 2017 won’t be easy as the Eagles are slated to open with local heavyweights LaSalle and Springboro before traveling to Tennessee for a trio of contests.

 

A LOOK AT THE EAGLES: To enjoy the achievements that they did in 2016, the Eagles certainly had to boast a roster full of talent and despite some graduation losses, Milford has plenty of firepower entering the new season. At the head of the list are three returning All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference first team selections in C Sam Dobrowolski (.421/8 XBH/29 RBI), INF Wes Reid (.481/13 XBH/24 RBI/11 SB) and OF Matt Kirk (.367/16 XBH/24 RBI/5 SB). All three had a huge impact on the Eagles success last season and will again this year. In addition to the big three, head coach Tom Kilgore will also count on returning regulars Keith Carter (.409/14 XBH/41 RBI/ 4 SB), Chase Witte (.279/6 XBH/18 RBI/10 SB) and Evan Baugh (.278/2 XBH/9 RBI/6 SB) as well.

 

The Eagles will feel some losses on the mound as last year’s top-two starters are now playing on the next level. Junior Kyle Music (1.84 ERA/6-0 record/1 SV) had a very impressive season last year on his way to second team all-league recognition. Classmates Baugh (6.20 ERA/2-0 record/1 SV) and Kyle Minton (2.70 ERA/1-0 record/2 SV) also return with significant varsity pitching experience to their credit.

 

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

  • Saturday, March 25 at LaSalle (at University of Cincinnati), 7:00 p.m.
    • 2016 Record: 25-8, 7-2 GCL (5th Division I area coaches’ preseason poll)
    • Top Returning Hitter: Senior Tyler Wardwell (.404/9 XBH/12 RBI/3 SB)
    • Top Returning Pitcher: Senior Micah Allen (2.30 ERA/4-3 record/1 SV)
    • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 1, LaSalle 0 & LaSalle 7, Milford 1
  • Monday, March 27 vs. Springboro, 5:00 p.m.
    • 2016 Record: 25-5, 10-0 GWOC
    • Top Returning Hitter: Senior Luke Walker (.333/4 XBH/11 RBI/7 SB)
    • Top Returning Pitcher: Senior Jack Pagliarini (0.69 ERA/5-1 record)
    • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 3, Springboro 1
  • Wednesday, March 29-Friday, March 31 Tennessee Trip
    • Wednesday, March 29 at Brentwood Academy, 4:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, March 30 at Summit High School, 6:00 p.m.
    • Friday, March 31 at Grace Christian Academy, 5:00 p.m.

 

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

Batting Average: Wes Reid (.481), Sam Dobrowolski (.421), Keith Carter (.409)

Slugging Percentage: Wes Reid (.635), Matt Kirk (.571), Sam Dobrowolski (.566)

On Base Percentage: Sam Dobrowolski (.560), Wes Reid (.537), Keith Carter (.473)

Runs Scored: Wes Reid (40), Matt Kirk (27), Keith Carter/Sam Dobrowolski (22)

Hits: Wes Reid (50), Keith Carter (38), Matt Kirk (36)

RBI: Keith Carter (41), Sam Dobrowolski (29), Matt Kirk/Wes Reid (24)

Doubles: Keith Carter (14), Matt Kirk (12), Wes Reid (11)

Triples: Matt Kirk (4), Three tied (1)

Home Runs: Sam Dobrowolski/Wes Reid (1)

Walks: Sam Dobrowolski (20), Chase Witte (16), Keith Carter (14)

Stolen Bases: Wes Reid (11), Chase Witte (10), Evan Baugh (6)

Wins: Kyle Music (6), Evan Baugh (2)

Saves: Kyle Minton (2), Evan Baugh/Kyle Music (1)

ERA: Kyle Music (1.84), Kyle Minton (2.70), Evan Baugh (6.20)

Innings: Kyle Ruehlman (46.1), Brad Hall (26.2), Nate Liles (9.0)

Opponents Batting Average: Brad Hall (.223), Kyle Ruehlman (.246), Nate Liles (.282)

Strikeouts: Kyle Ruehlman (41), Brad Hall (28), Nathan Kroger (6)

 

POLL WATCH: Milford is ranked fourth in the area Division I coaches’ poll sponsored by the Cincinnati Enquirer, earning one of the 21 first place votes cast. Mason is atop the rankings with 13 No. 1 nods, with Moeller (five votes) and the ECC’s Loveland (two votes) ahead of the Eagles. LaSalle rounds out the top-five. The ECC is also represented by Kings and Walnut Hills in the others receiving votes section. The coaches’ poll is released every Monday at Noon at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.

 

COLLEGE BOUND EAGLES: A trio of seniors on the 2017 Eagles’ roster have already announced their intention to continue their athletic and academic careers on the collegiate level. Joey Ciraci will attend will attend Bluffton University, while Matt Kirk has signed a National Letter of Intent at Morehead State University. George Lucas is on his way to Wilmington College.

 

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