SETTING THE SCENE: Holding an overall record of 2-2, the Milford High School baseball team opens its quest for a sixth straight conference championship with a full docket of games in the coming week. The Eagles split a pair of games in Tennessee over Spring Break and open the Eastern Cincinnati Conference slate with a home-and-home against Anderson, as well as an early season showdown with Loveland. The non-conference schedule this week features a trip to Centerville and a doubleheader with Clio (MI).

A LOOK BACK: March 25 at LaSalle: LaSalle 8, Milford 5

In a rematch of last season’s OHSAA Regional Final, Milford couldn’t overcome nine walks issued by its four pitchers as LaSalle picked up an 8-5 victory. Through two innings, the score was knotted at two, but the Lancers scored seven runs over three frames to pull away. Milford rallied for four runs in the seventh but could get no closer.

THE BATS

Senior Matt Kirk delivered the biggest hit of the day for the Eagles with a three-run triple in the seventh. He finished 3-for-4 with a run and three RBI. Kyle Minton added a pair of hits for Milford.

THE ARMS

Junior Kyle Music drew the Opening Day start for the Eagles, but was handed the loss after allowing three runs in three innings, despite striking out four. Three relievers followed Music to the hill, with Minton striking out the side in a scoreless sixth inning.

March 27 vs. Springboro: Milford 3, Springboro 2

The Eagles’ first victory of the season came in dramatic fashion as they scored three times in the bottom of the seventh inning to tally a 3-2 win over Springboro in a rematch from last season’s OHSAA Tournament. Pinch-runner Sam Mills raced home on a Springboro wild pitch to send Milford to the walk-off win.

THE BATS

In a game that featured just three runs and four hits for the Eagles, senior Wes Reid and junior Kyle Music each contributed RBI singles.

THE ARMS

Junior Evan Baugh crafted his first complete game of the season, limiting the Panthers to just two runs on three hits in seven outstanding innings. For the game, Baugh struck out five and walked just one.

March 29 at Brentwood Academy: Milford 8, Brentwood Academy 7

Milford snapped a five-all tie with three runs in the top of the sixth inning, before holding on for an 8-7 win at Brentwood Academy in the first game of the team’s Spring Break trip to Tennessee. Dylan Stewart delivered the big hit of the frame for the Eagles (2-1) as his two-run single plated Kyle Music and Chase Witte.

THE BATS

In addition to Stewart’s two-RBI hit, junior Evan Baugh also knocked in a pair in the win for Milford. Sam Dobrowolski posted his first multi-hit game of the year in the victory with a pair of hits.

THE ARMS

Kyle Minton drew his first start of the year for the Eagles, leaving with a lead after allowing four runs over four innings. Mitch Mierke earned his first career varsity win, while Jared Dettmer pitched a clean seventh inning for his first save.

March 31 at Grace Christian Academy: Grace Christian 5, Milford 3

Grace Christian pushed four runs across in the bottom of the sixth inning to overcome a 3-2 deficit and send Milford back to a Ohio with a 5-3 setback on March 31. The Eagles got the tying run to the plate in the seventh but couldn’t convert.

THE BATS

Milford was led by junior outfielder Evan Baugh who went 2-for-3, while adding a sacrifice fly RBI. Wes Reid plated Milford’s first run in the first inning, while Sam Dobrowolski added a fifth inning RBI single.

THE ARMS

Junior Kyle Music was outstanding through five innings, allowing just one run with six strikeouts, before running into trouble in the sixth and absorbing the loss.

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

• Monday, April 3 vs. Anderson, 4:30 p.m. & Wednesday, April 5 at Anderson (at Midland Field), 4:30 p.m.
  • 2017 Record: 2-0 (NR Division I area coaches’ preseason poll)
  • Top Hitter: Senior Jake Newton (.667/1 XBH/2 RBI/1 SB)
  • Top Pitcher: Senior Jordan Burnam/Junior Josh Rose (0.00 ERA/1-0 record/0 SV)
  • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 8, Anderson 2 & Milford 13, Anderson 6
• Thursday, April 6 at Centerville, 5:00 p.m.
  • 2017 Record: 2-0
  • Top Hitter: Sophomore Morgan Colopy (.667/0 XBH/2 RBI/0 SB)
  • Top Pitcher: Sophomore Nick Hoffman (0.00 ERA/0-0 record/1 SV)
  • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 3, Centerville 2
• Friday, April 7 vs. Loveland, 4:30 p.m.
  • 2017 Record: 3-2 (3^rd Division I area coaches’ preseason poll)
  • Top Hitter: Junior Cade Spikes (.455/0 XBH/1 RBI/0 SB)
  • Top Pitcher: Sophomore Zach Segal (0.00 ERA/0-0 record/1 SV)
  • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 11, Loveland 4 & Loveland 8, Milford 5
• Saturday, April 8 vs. Clio (MI), 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
  • 2017 Record: N/A
  • Top Hitter: N/A
  • Top Pitcher: N/A
  • Last Meeting: 2015; Milford 8, Clio 0

*Opponent information through March 30

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s statistical leaders through 4 games:

Batting Average: Matt Kirk (.462), Kyle Minton (.417), Evan Baugh (.364)

Slugging Percentage: Matt Kirk (.615), Kyle Minton (.417), Evan Baugh (.364)

On Base Percentage: Matt Kirk (.533), Kyle Minton (.500), Evan Baugh (.429)

Runs Scored: Evan Baugh (3), Seven Tied (2)

Hits: Matt Kirk (6), Kyle Minton (5), Evan Baugh (4)

RBI: Matt Kirk (4), Three Tied (3)

Doubles: Dylan Stewart (1)

Triples: Matt Kirk (1)

Home Runs: None

Walks: Six Tied (2)

Stolen Bases: Sam Dobrowolski/Matt Kirk/Wes Reid (1)

Wins: Evan Baugh/Mitch Mierke (1)

Saves: Jared Dettmer (1)

ERA: Evan Baugh (2.00), Kyle Minton (4.20), Kyle Music (5.25)

Innings: Kyle Music (8.0), Evan Baugh (7.0), Kyle Minton (5.0)

Opponents Batting Average: Evan Baugh (.125), Kyle Minton (.222), Kyle Music (.290)

Strikeouts: Kyle Music (10), Evan Baugh/Kyle Minton (5)

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.