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Softball Heads Into Final Week of Regular Season With ECC Crown in Hand

Posted on: May 1, 2017

SETTING THE SCENE: After wrapping up no less than a share of its fourth consecutive Eastern Cincinnati Conference Championship, the Milford High School softball squad is back on the diamond this week with a full schedule of games. If the weather cooperates, the Eagles will play six times in five days with the first obstacle a doubleheader with Withrow where Milford can secure an outright league title with one win. From there, the Eagles (20-2, 12-0 ECC) will tune up for the OHSAA Tournament with four non-conference battles, including a showdown against Ohio’s No. 2 ranked team, Lebanon.

 

TOURNEY TALK: For the second consecutive season, the Eagles will enter the OHSAA Tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Cincinnati sectionals as voted on by the coaches. With the second-seed the Eagles have earned a bye in the first round and will open tournament play at home on Wednesday, May 10 against the winner of No. 20 Walnut Hills and No. 21 Mercy. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Click here for Milford’s sectional bracket.

 

A LOOK BACK: April 24 vs. Walnut Hills: Milford 12, Walnut Hills 0

The Eagles scored seven times in the first inning and never looked back, completing a 12-0 five-inning sweep of Walnut Hills. In four innings, Milford pounded out 11 hits, while the duo of Valerie Thompson and Hillary Huffer combined on a one-hitter.

 

THE BATS

Milford took advantage of three first inning Walnut errors in sending 11 hitters to the plate in the seven-run frame. Thompson helped herself at the plate, totaling a game-high four RBI, including a two-run triple in the second. Katelyn Rheude had three RBI, while Kelsey Seitz and Shelbi Willhoite each scored three times.

 

THE ARMS

Thompson was dominant in her three innings of work, yielding just one walk, while striking out five in improving to 16-1 on the year. Huffer followed her to the circle, yielding just one single and striking out four in her two innings.

 

April 25 Lakota West: Lakota West 6, Milford 2

Four Milford errors led to five unearned runs and the end of the Eagles’ win streak at 16. The Firebirds raced to a 5-0 lead after four innings before Milford cut into the deficit with fifth inning RBI singles by Kelsey Seitz and Valerie Thompson. Milford had chances throughout, ultimately leaving eight on base for the game.

 

THE BATS

The Eagles were limited to just five hits on the day with Thompson going 2-for-3 to lead the way.

 

THE ARMS

Thompson was hurt by errors as just one of the six West runs was earned. The senior did finish with seven strikeouts against no walks.

 

April 26 at Kings: Milford 3, Kings 1

Katelyn Rheude snapped a 1-1 tie with a two-run sixth inning double leading the Eagles to a key 3-1 win over Kings. The Eagles struck first on the day on Sydnee Harris’ third inning double, but Kings knotted the score in the fifth, setting the stage for Rheude’s big hit.

 

THE BATS

Rheude had the big hit of the day with her two-run double and she finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Harris also had a double for the winning Eagles.

 

THE ARMS

Thompson improved to 17-2 on the season with yet another outstanding performance. The senior struck out a season-high 10 on the day, while allowing just four singles.

 

April 28 vs. Kings: Milford 6, Kings 2

Milford wrapped up at least a share of its fourth consecutive Eastern Cincinnati Conference Championship with a 6-2 win over Kings. The Eagles broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning before Valerie Thompson shut the Knights down in the seventh.

 

THE BATS

After Milford took advantage of a Kings error in the sixth to go in front, Sydnee Harris delivered the biggest hit of the day as he drilled a two-run double up the leftcenterfield alley to push the Eagles further ahead. The junior finished the day with three RBI. Kelsey Seitz and Katelyn Rheude each picked up two hits, while the former, along with Thompson recorded a double.

 

THE ARMS

Errors hurt the Eagles in the first, but Thompson worked around them to pick up her 18th win of the season. For the day, she yielded just four hits and a pair of walks, while striking out three.

 

April 29 at Dixie Heights: Milford 3, Dixie Heights 0

Valerie Thompson twirled a two-hit shutout as Milford picked up a 3-0 win at Dixie Heights.

 

THE BATS

Four Eagles finished with multi-hit games, led by senior Hannah Meenach who finished 3-for-3. Sydnee Harris had a double among her two hits, while Katelyn Reynolds and Katelyn Rheude each went 2-for-4.

 

THE ARMS

Thompson improved to 19-2 on the year with her second solo shutout of the season. She has also combined with freshman Hillary Huffer on three others.

 

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

  • Monday, May 1 at Withrow (DH), 4:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.
    • 2017 Record: 3-14, 0-12 ECC (NR Division I area coaches’ weekly poll)
    • Top Hitter: Junior Niya Canada (.324/4 XBH/2 RBI/0 SB)
    • Top Pitcher: Junior Niya Canada (1.29 ERA/0-3 record)
    • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 20, Withrow 0 & Milford 1, Withrow 0
  • Tuesday, May 2 vs. Western Brown, 5:00 p.m.
    • 2017 Record: 14-2, 10-0 SBAC (3rd Division II-IV area coaches’ weekly poll)
    • Top Hitter: Junior Mary Sizer (.473/8 XBH/25 RBI/0 SB)
    • Top Pitcher: Freshman Sydni Barnes (1.70 ERA/11-1 record)
    • Last Meeting: 2014; Western Brown 5, Milford 2, Western Brown 6, Milford 0
  • Wednesday, May 3 at Lebanon, 5:00 p.m.
    • 2017 Record: 17-3, 7-0 GWOC (1st Division I area coaches’ weekly poll)
    • Top Hitter: Senior Chloe Allen (.528/6 XBH/20 RBI/14 SB)
    • Top Pitcher: Senior Alexis Strother (1.47 ERA/6-1 record)
    • Last Meeting: 2016; Milford 3, Lebanon 1
  • Thursday, May 4 at Highlands, 5:00 p.m.
    • 2017 Record: 6-9-1 (10th Northern Kentucky area coaches’ weekly poll)
    • Top Hitter: N/A
    • Top Pitcher: N/A
    • Last Meeting: 2014; Milford 10, Highlands 0
  • Friday, May 5 vs. McAuley, 5:00 p.m.
    • 2017 Record: 15-5, 7-1 GGCL (7th Division I area coaches’ weekly poll)
    • Top Hitter: Sophomore Hailey McAdoo (.530/14 XBH/26 RBI/6 SB)
    • Top Pitcher: Sophomore Hailey McAdoo (3.49 ERA/10-4 record)
    • Last Meeting: 2016; McAuley 1, Milford 0

 

THANK YOU SENIORS: Senior Day is scheduled in conjunction with the Eagles’ May 2 game against Western Brown. That day, the 2017 Senior Class consisting of Hannah Meenach, Katelyn Rheude, Kelsey Seitz and Valerie Thompson will be honored for their contributions to Milford Softball.

 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s statistical leaders through 17 games:

Batting Average: Kelsey Seitz (.547), Katelyn Rheude (.508), Katelyn Reynolds (.500)

Slugging Percentage: Kelsey Seitz (1.093), Katelyn Reynolds (.818), Katelyn Rheude (.677)

On Base Percentage: Kelsey Seitz (.571), Katelyn Reynolds (.565), Sydnee Harris (.560)

Runs Scored: Kelsey Seitz (33), Sydnee Harris (31), Hannah Meenach (24)

Hits: Kelsey Seitz (41), Katelyn Reynolds/Katelyn Rheude (33)

RBI: Kelsey Seitz (42), Katelyn Reynolds (32), Katelyn Rheude (26)

Doubles: Katelyn Rheude (11), Katelyn Reynolds (10), Kelsey Seitz (9)

Triples: Kelsey Seitz (7), Katelyn Reynolds (4), Four Tied (1)

Home Runs: Kelsey Seitz (6), Hillary Huffer/Katelyn Reynolds (1)

Walks: Katie Hall (20), Katelyn Reynolds (15), Sydnee Harris (14)

Stolen Bases: Sydnee Harris (10), Hannah Meenach (7), Lilly Copp/Katelyn Rheude (5)

Wins: Valerie Thompson (18), Hillary Huffer (1)

Saves: None

ERA: Valerie Thompson (1.21), Hillary Huffer (2.50)

Innings: Valerie Thompson (116.0), Hillary Huffer (14.0)

Opponents Batting Average: Valerie Thompson (.183), Hillary Huffer (.267)

Strikeouts: Valerie Thompson (106), Hillary Huffer (6)

 

POLL WATCH: Milford finished fourth in the final Division I area coaches’ poll of the year, released on May 1 and sponsored by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Lebanon won the poll title, earning nine of the 15 first place votes. The balance of the top-five includes Mason (three first place votes), Lakota East (two votes), the Eagles (one vote) and Lakota West. The ECC was also represented by Kings in eighth and Loveland receiving votes. The final coaches’ poll can be viewed at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.

 

In the third Division I State Poll as voted on by the Ohio Softball Coaches Association, the Eagles are the sixth-ranked squad in the state. The Greater Cincinnati area is well represented with Lebanon ranked No. 2 and Lakota East one spot in front of Milford. The full rankings can be viewed here.

 

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. Kelsey Seitz will attend will attend Trevecca Nazarene University, while Valerie Thompson has signed a National Letter of Intent at Tennessee State University. Most recently, Katelyn Rheude sannounced her intention to attend Notre Dame College and compete on the college level.

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