Ladybirds engineer first-ever state tourney win

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands seventh-grader Chloe Jansen scores in the fouth inning of Thursday's state tournament game against Estill County. Highlands won 4-1.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands sophomore Shelby Graybill cranks a two-run home run in the first inning against Estill County in the state tournament in Owensboro. It marked the eighth home run of the year for Graybill.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands sophomore Haley Coffey makes another diving stop in the state tournament game against Estill County.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

OWENSBORO – It may not have been a win or go home game situation.

But the Highlands Ladybirds softball team wanted to use it to set a tone for the rest of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Fastpitch State Softball Tournament. The 9th Region champions started off the tournament on the right foot overcoming inexperience and jitters in a 4-1 over the experienced 14th Region champion Estill County Lady Engineers. The game took place Thursday at Jack C. Fisher Park.

Ladybirds ready to make more history

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands pitcher Bailey Spencer winds up and fires home in last week's 9th Region Tournament. Spencer owns a record of 20-6 with 110 strikeouts entering the state softball tournament starting Thursday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It started with a vision that is quickly coming to fruition.

The school named Rob Coffey the head coach of the Highlands Ladybirds fastpitch softball team in September of 2012. The prevailing thought among many at that time was to catch the Ryle Lady Raiders. Ryle had won seven of the past eight region titles at that point and captured the 2006 state championship.