SETTING THE SCENE: Off to an uncharacteristic 0-3 start in Eastern Cincinnati Conference action, the Milford High School baseball team will look to reverse its fortunes with a pair of league contests in the coming days. In addition to a home-and-home with Glen Este, the Eagles (4-5, 0-3 ECC) will also travel to Oak Hills to conclude the remainder of this week.

A LOOK BACK: April 3 vs. Anderson: Anderson 10, Milford 9

A back and forth battle finally went the way of Anderson as the Eagles’ rally in the seventh came up just short, handing the Redskins a 10-9 win. Trailing by a 10-6 score after yielding three seventh inning runs, Milford rallied for three markers of its own in the seventh but came up just short. A total of six errors on defense doomed the Eagles in the defeat.

THE BATS

The Eagles’ leading hitter senior Matt Kirk had a huge day at the plate, finishing with four hits, including three for extra-bases. Kirk ended with two doubles and a triple, while also scoring three runs and knocking home four. Evan Baugh added a double among his three hits and three runs scored. Dylan Stewart finished with two hits, while Sam Dobrowolski had two RBI.

THE ARMS

Junior Evan Baugh drew the start on the bump but left after allowing four runs in three innings. Kyle Minton was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs and five hits over his three innings of work.

April 5 at Anderson (game suspended)

The game between the two teams was halted in the sixth inning with the score tied at 4-4. The game will conclude beginning at 4:30 p.m. on April 20.

April 7 vs. Loveland: Loveland 4, Milford 3

In a near déjà vu of the Anderson game early in the week, Milford again came up a run short after a seventh inning rally, dropping a 4-3 decision against Loveland. Trailing just 2-1 heading to the seventh, Milford watched the Tigers score twice, but came up a run shy despite tallying two of its own in the bottom of the frame.

THE BATS

The Eagles were held to just two hits on the day with seniors Matt Kirk and Chase Witte each tallying one.

THE ARMS

Junior Evan Baugh was solid in his second start of the week, but ultimately came up on the losing side of the decision. Over five innings, Baugh struck out five but was the hard luck loser after allowing just two runs. Classmate Tyler Barter covered the last two innings on the hill.

April 8 vs. Clio (Game 1): Milford 10, Clio 0

Milford began its doubleheader domination of Clio (MI) with a 10-0 six-inning win in the opening game between the squads. Sophomore Brady Sluder was the hero for the Eagles, finishing with three hits, five RBI and two runs scored.

THE BATS

As stated Sluder, in just his third start of the year, had a big day at the dish for the home team. Dylan Stewart also came up big with a pair of hits and three runs scored, while Evan Baugh went 2-for-4 with two runs.

THE ARMS

Seniors Joey Ciraci and George Lucas combined on a one-hit shutout with each pitching three solid innings. Ciraci grabbed his first-ever win, while Lucas struck out a pair in his hitless outing.

April 8 vs. Clio (Game 2): Milford 12, Clio 1

Junior Mitch Mierke crafted a five-inning no-hitter and the Eagles pounded out 10 hits in just four innings in a dominating 12-0 win over Clio. Milford wasted no time, chasing the Clio starting pitcher during an eight-run first inning. Mierke’s gem was the first no-hitter by Milford since Kyle Music and Tyler Smith combined to blank New Richmond last season.

THE BATS

Three Eagles each collected a pair of hits, led by Matt Kirk who had a pair of doubles, two of the six two-baggers for the game by Milford. Wes Reid and Anthony Bassano each drove in a pair, while Reid, Brady Sluder, Chase Witte and Kyle Music scored two times each.

THE ARMS

Mierke was nearly flawless in his outing against the Mustangs, facing just two batters over the minimum, while striking out seven.

April 10 at Loveland: Loveland 7, Milford 4

The Eagles fell to 0-3 in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with a disappointing 7-4 loss at Loveland. Late inning scoring haunted the Eagles again as despite three runs in their last two at-bats weren’t enough to overcome a two-run sixth by the Tigers.

THE BATS

Matt Kirk’s torrid start to the season continued as the senior picked up three more base hits. Wes Reid was also solid, finishing 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI and a double.

THE ARMS

Kyle Music absorbed his third loss of the season after allowing five runs (just two earned) over five innings of work. George Lucas allowed two runs in his single inning of work.

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

• Wednesday, April 12 at Glen Este, 4:30 p.m. & Thursday, April 13 vs. Glen Este, 4:30 p.m.
  • 2017 Record: 4-7, 0-3 ECC (NR Division I area coaches’ weekly poll)
  • Top Hitter: Sophomore Jack Towell (.320/3 XBH/7 RBI/1 SB)
  • Top Pitcher: Senior Logan Abner (2.00 ERA/0-0 record/0 SV)
  • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 4, Glen Este 1 & Glen Este 3, Milford 1
• Saturday, April 15 at Oak Hills, Noon
  • 2017 Record: 4-4, 2-4 GMC (RV Division I area coaches’ weekly poll)
  • Top Hitter: Senior Brett Kron (.412/1 XBH/4 RBI/0 SB)
  • Top Pitcher: Junior Tyler Murphy (1.17 ERA/2-0 record/0 SV)
  • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 10, Oak Hills 6

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s statistical leaders through 9 games:

Batting Average: Matt Kirk (.586), Evan Baugh (.375), Kyle Minton (.273)

Slugging Percentage: Matt Kirk (.862), Evan Baugh (.417), Kyle Music (.313)

On Base Percentage: Matt Kirk (.625), Evan Baugh (.448), Chase Witte (.423)

Runs Scored: Evan Baugh (8), Dylan Stewart/Chase Witte (7)

Hits: Matt Kirk (17), Evan Baugh (9), Dylan Stewart (7)

RBI: Matt Kirk (9), Brady Sluder (8), Sam DObrowolski/Wes Reid (6)

Doubles: Matt Kirk (4), Wes Reid (2), Six Tied (1)

Triples: Matt Kirk (2)

Home Runs: None

Walks: Wes Reid (6), Chase Witte (5), Three Tied (4)

Stolen Bases: Matt Kirk (2), Three Tied (1)

Wins: Mitch Mierke (2), Evan Baugh/Joey Ciraci (1)

Saves: Jared Dettmer (1)

ERA: Mitch Mierke (2.00), Evan Baugh (3.27), Kyle Music (4.31)

Innings: Evan Baugh (15.0), Kyle Music (13.0), Kyle Minton (8.0)

Opponents Batting Average: Mitch Mierke (.167), Evan Baugh (.207), Kyle Music (.283)

Strikeouts: Evan Baugh (13), Kyle Music (12), Mitch Mierke (9)

POLL WATCH: Milford is ranked eighth in the April 10 version of the area Division I coaches’ poll sponsored by the Cincinnati Enquirer, earning one of the 19 first place votes cast. Moeller enjoys a healthy lead atop the rankings with 12 of the first place votes. The rest of the top-five includes Mason (three votes), the ECC’s Loveland (one vote), Lakota West and St. Xavier (two votes). The ECC is also represented by Anderson in ninth, Kings in 10^th, along with Walnut Hills and Turpin each receiving votes. 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.