Working on the Coach's Vision

G. Michael Graham Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds softball team scrimmages Saturday at the high school. The Bluebirds graduated just one player from last year's team and have a new head coach in Rob Coffey.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

If the players take the enthusiasm their head coach has displayed since taking the job in September, great things could be in store for the Highlands Bluebirds softball program.

Rob Coffey took the job in the fall and began working on those big visions. He wants the Bluebirds to not only compete for the 36th District and 9th Region titles, but also state championships.

“The attitude and excitement around the program has been outstanding,” Coffey said. “The players are focused and absorbing everything we are teaching them. They are attending every practice with a business-like approach. The parents are extremely supportive and we have an absolute great group of families from top to bottom. It’s very exciting to be a part of right now.”

The development of fastpitch youth softball leagues in Cambpell County is starting to catch up to Boone County. Coffey wants to see more girls play outside the season. Two years ago, only two players did that. But this year, eight of the nine starters own at least two years of experience playing competitive summer softball and a number of the younger players are playing on competitive teams as well. Coffey said 20-25 players have been working out with the team and a personal trainer in the offseason.

The Bluebirds graduated just one player off last year’s team that finished 10-19 overall losing 8-2 to Newport Central Catholic in the 36th District semifinals in shortstop/second baseman Brooke Hollingsworth. She hit .404 on the season.

This year’s team has no seniors. Unlike what many may think, Coffey said that’s a good thing.

“It (lets) us create a two-year plan with the girls we currently have and we’re not rushing to turn the ship,” Coffey said. “We feel we have the potential to be very competitive this year, but also understand that it’s a journey and we are working toward it. All the girls have bought into the theory.”

Highlands batted .297 as a team last year. Coffey wants to see that number get into the .350 to .400 range. Freshman third baseman Shelby Graybill is the leading returning hitter. Graybill batted .427 with four home runs, 12 doubles, two triples with 21 runs scored and 10 walks.

The pitching staff received a boost a few weeks ago when freshman Bailey Spencer transferred in from Dixie Heights. Spencer and sophomore Payton Leighty will handle the pitching duties. Dixie Heights finished 20-14 last year and drove to the 9th Region semifinals.

Leighty was 6-12 with a 5.49 earned-run average, 50 strikeout and 48 walks. Leighty split the duties with Karly Hamberg last year. Hamberg decided not to come out this year. Coffey wants the ERAs to dip into the 2s.

“I think Bailey is going to be a good addition to the team,” Leighty said. “She’s really good with her speed and movement. I’m so different from her. We can switch it up and be one of the better teams in Northern Kentucky.”

The three returning juniors are Kendall Turner (outfield/first base), Ashley Grosser (center field/second base) and KC Broering (first base/outfield). Grosser batted .338 last year.

Highlands also lists three sophomores and four freshmen on the roster. After Leighty, the other two sophomores are Whitney Quillen (catcher/infielder) and Emily Johncox (outfield). Quillen batted .309 last year. The other freshmen after Graybill and Spencer are Haley Coffey (shortstop) and Brennah Dutcher (infield).

Highlands hopes to have a solid defense this year. Coach Coffey hopes for a solid hitting team. But he said the Bluebirds may do some small ball this year if that’s what it takes to win games.

“I think it’s coming along really well. We have a couple good hitters,” Graybill said. “We also have some good small-ball people. I can tell you we’ve worked a lot on fundamentals. There have been practices where we can’t come on the football field. We stay inside the whole two hours. We also have older girls working with younger girls.”

Defensively, Coach Coffey wants the girls to eliminate mental mistakes like not looking a runner back to second on a ground ball to third before throwing to first base. Good teams do not make those mistakes.

Kentucky lets seventh and eighth-graders play on the varsity level. One eighth-grader in Taylor Baioni (infielder/outfielder) and four seventh-graders in Miranda Mason (pitcher/infielder), Josie Daley (catcher/infielder), Alexis Conner (infielder) and Brooke Dill (infielder) are aiming to contribute this year.

The 36th District has had the blind draw in the past. The district will seed teams like the volleyball teams did in the fall.

The Bluebirds face Campbell County to open the season Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m. in Fort Thomas.