Smith, Pandas end Highlands softball season

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – The gap closed further than the regular season.

It was just a case of the Highlands Bluebirds softball team not being able to get anything going offensively against Haylee Smith and the Notre Dame Panda defense. Smith and company allowed just two Highlands base runners in a 3-0 one-hit win. Neither base runner advanced past first base.

The loss ended an incredible turnaround season for Highlands. The Bluebirds finished 18-12 after going 10-19 a year ago.

“We’ve grown leaps and bounds and it’s obvious,” said Kendall Turner, Highlands first baseman. “This is only the second time Highlands softball has made it to the second round of regionals (the other was 2008). We’re pretty happy with how we are right now.”

On the other side, Notre Dame (27-7) faces Conner for the region championship. The Pandas had beaten the Bluebirds three times in the regular season by a combined score of 27-4.

Smith transferred from Ryle to Notre Dame in the offseason. The sophomore has played a huge role in guiding the Pandas to a 21-0 mark against region competition. Smith only struck out one Bluebird in the win. But she constantly hit her spots making it difficult for the Bluebirds to make great contact and drive it places.

“You have to give credit to her defense. I’m sure she would too,” said Rob Coffey, Highlands Head Coach. “They’re solid. It’s not just her pitching. It’s her entire athletic ability that makes her strong and intimidating on the mound. She takes away the bunting and cheap hits in the middle of the field. We’ve hit (Smith) in the past. She just had our number (Thursday).”

Bailey Spencer became the first base runner for the Bluebirds in the second inning. She reached on an error with two outs. The other Bluebird base runner also reached with two outs as Brennah Dutcher singled up the middle to break up Smith’s no-hit bid in the seventh. Brooke Dill ran for Dutcher.

Spencer pitched a good game for Highlands. Spencer struck out seven while allowing six hits and a walk.

Coach Coffey said the jitters played a role in the Highlands defensive struggles. The Bluebirds committed five errors and they played roles in two of the Notre Dame runs.

Abby Jones led Notre Dame at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double. Emma Jacobs ran for her both times she reached.

The Pandas scored the lone run they needed in the first. Leadoff hitter Laura Finke singled then took second on an error. After moving to third on a sacrifice bunt, Smith singled her home. Notre Dame loaded the bases later in the evening but could not push any more runs across.

The Pandas scored another run in the third. Jones doubled and Jacobs later scored on a Maria Schaefer single.

Notre Dame scored its final run in the fourth. Finke reached on an error, stole second and scored after two more Highlands errors.

The Bluebirds do not have any seniors on this year’s squad. They have three juniors in Ashley Grosser, Turner and KC Broering so they hope to carry the momentum from this year into next season.

“Our goal is to keep climbing the mountain,” Coffey said. “This is our first step. We wanted to win the district and region. We just told the girls we couldn’t be more proud of where they’ve been and where they’ve come in solidifying the hitting, defense and everything that comes with the game. They put in the time and effort. It’s all in their work ethic.”

Many of the girls play travel ball and will soon continue to do offseason workouts.

Coffey aims to elevate Ladybirds softball program

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The belief for great things starts with the head coach.

New Highlands Ladybirds Head Softball Coach Rob Coffey has high expectations for the program and the search committee saw that enthusiasm. The committee consisted of Principal Brian Robinson, Director of Athletics Dale Mueller and Head Baseball Coach Jeremy Baioni. The hiring became official Monday.

“We think we’re in position to not only win the (Ninth) Region, but battle for state championships,” Mueller said. “There’s a lot of young girls who are fired up in Fort Thomas and are excellent, college-scholarship players. Rob is looking to have a year-round softball program so the girls can develop their skills all year. He’s looking to step up every aspect of the program to another level.”

Robinson said the committee reached out to teachers in the Fort Thomas Independent School District first, but none showed interest. They had several applicants before naming two finalists.

Coffey, 44, has 20 years of coaching experience that includes basketball and soccer in addition to softball. That may not include any high school experience. But Coffey started the Amateur Athletic Union organization called Gametime that he currently directs. Coffey played baseball, basketball and football during his high school years. He graduated from Highlands in 1986.

“I think with the young group we have right now, we have a chance to compete and start winning real soon,” Coffey said. “We have several talented players already in the pipeline. I’m not naive enough to think we’ll win the (Ninth) Region within the next two years. But with some training and creating some depth in the program, we should be able to compete with some of the top teams in the Ninth Region. Going forward, the biggest challenge I think we’ll have is keeping the pipeline wet.”