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.
