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The Greater Miami Conference recently announced its all-conference baseball and softball teams. A total of 23 Lakota baseball and softball players were named to the conference’s first and second teams.

In baseball, Lakota East’s Ray Hamilton was named GMC Coach of the Year and Lakota East junior pitcher Mike Conrad shared the honor of GMC Baseball Athlete of the Year with Middletown’s Kyle Schwarber.

Lakota East, which won the GMC title and a state title this spring, had five players (Conrad, senior J.D. Whetsel, senior Jesse Rait, senior Evan Hills and junior Alex Corna) named to the All-GMC First Team and two (senior Mitch Geers and sophomore Jarrett Rindfleisch) named to the All-GMC Second Team.

Lakota West, which won a district title this season, had two players (senior Ryan Oltorik and junior Jake Wagner) named to the All-GMC First Team and three (senior T.J. Belieu, senior Mack Doherty, junior Zack Farmer) named to the All-GMC Second Team.

In softball, Sara Pearson, who has signed on to play at the University of Memphis, was named as the GMC Softball Athlete of the Year. Pearson struck out 264 batters in 164.2 innings and posted a 0.30 earned run average in 2011.

Lakota East, which won the GMC title and a district title in 2011, had five players (Pearson, sophomore Lea Buckenmyer, junior Ainsley Ellison, junior Alyssa Grevenkamp and senior Kelly Hardison) named to the All-GMC First Team and one (junior Kim Rollins) named to the All-GMC Second Team.

Lakota West, which won a regional title this spring, had two players (senior Alex Caudill and junior Amanda Lahti) named to the All-GMC First Team and three (senior Yasmin Battle, senior Melanie Bryan and junior Jessica Burke) named to the All-GMC Second Team.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsley Ellison, Alex Caudill, Alex Corna, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Lahti, baseball, Evan Hills, Jake Wagner, Jarrett Rindfleisch, Jesse Rait, Jessica Burke, Kelly Hardison, Kim Rollins, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lea Buckenmyer, Mack Doherty, Melanie Bryan, Mike Conrad, Mitch Geers, Ray Hamilton, Ryan Oltorik, Sara Pearson, softball, T.J. Belieu, Yasmin Battle, Zach Farmer, Zack Farmer

Lakota West defeated Lakota East for the third time this season on Saturday, May 28. This time, Lakota West’s 1-0 victory gave it a regional championship.

Last season, Lakota East defeated Lakota West by the score 4-1 in the regional final.

This year, the Firebirds scored the game’s first run in the eighth-inning when freshman Alyssa Hedric scored on a sacrifice fly by senior pitcher Alex Caudill, who also earned the shutout victory on the mound.

>>>LAKOTA WEST VS. LAKOTA EAST IN REGIONAL FINAL<<<

Cincinnati.com reporter Shannon Russell covered the big game:

Caudill didn’t know whether to laugh or cry after drilling the ball to right field with the bases loaded.

“I thought it was hard and deep enough for (Hedric) to score because she’s really quick,” Caudill said. “I didn’t even run all the way down to first because I turned and I was watching. I was so happy.”

Lakota East (28-3), Division I’s top-ranked team, finished its season with three losses – all to Lakota West. Caudill thought the first two wins gave the Firebirds confidence heading into the third game.

Lakota West coach Keith Castner said players just believed in themselves, as they have so many times before.

“They go in there and they do the best job they can,” Castner said. “They just know that, hey, when you go out there and go between the lines, they have to get it done – and they did. I’m very proud of them.”

For more on the game, visit Cincinnati.com’s story titled “Lakota West beats East in softball regional final.”

Lakota West (21-4) will now face Gahanna Lincoln (19-10) in the state semifinals this Friday, June 3, at Akron’s Firestone Stadium at 12:30 p.m.

If the Firebirds win that game, they will play in the state final at Firestone Stadium on Saturday, June 4, at 4 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, regional final, regional finals, softball, state semifinal, state semifinals

Lakota West senior pitcher Alex Caudill allowed three hits and one walk while shutting out Glen Este by the score of 2-0 in the regional semifinal on Wednesday, May 25.

Earlier in the season, Glen Este blew out the Firebirds in five innings by the score of 11-0. That game, however, was played without Caudill, who will continue her pitching career at Northern Kentucky University. At the time, Caudill was out after suffering a thigh injury.

Glen Este also did not use its ace in the regular season game. Senior Kelley Benhase, who will also attend NKU, came into Wednesday’s game with an 18-2 record, 240 strikeouts in 133.1 innings and a 0.47 earned run average.

Cincinnati.com reporter Chris DeLotell covered the game:

“I was worried about that (match-up),” Caudill said. “I knew whoever scored one run was probably going to win the game.”

West manufactured the winning run in the third inning. Alyssa Hedric led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a one-out single by Bekah Werth. Caudill then drove a fly ball deep enough into right field that Hedric was able to score.

West coach Keith Castner credited the early lead with helping his players relax.

“It makes you feel good,” Castner said. “At the same time, it helps the girls to know they need to up their game a little bit more also.” (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alyssa Hedric, Bekah Werth, Keith Castner, Kelley Benhase, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, NKU, Northern Kentucky University, regional final, regional finals, regional semifinal, regional semifinals, softball

Lakota East advanced to the regional semifinal by defeating Centerville by the score of 10-0 in five innings in a district title match at Miamisburg High School on Saturday, May 21.

Senior Jesse Rait (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 runs), junior Alex Corna (3-for-3, 2 2Bs, 2 runs, 3 RBIs), senior Mitch Geers (2 runs), senior Craig Thomson (3-for-4, 2 2Bs, 4 RBIs) and senior Brain Evans (2-for-3) all performed well at the plate for the Thunderhawks.

Lakota East (20-7) will face Northmont (22-6) this Thursday, May 26, at 5 p.m. at the University of Cincinnati.

Baseball – Lakota West 5, Glen Este 1 – The Firebirds continue to advance in the postseason. Their latest win, a 5-1 decision against Glen Este on Saturday at Western Hills High School, captured a district championship. Lakota West junior Zack Farmer earned the win on the mound and was 2-for-2 with a double. The Firebirds (17-11) will face Grove City in a regional semifinal on Thursday, May 26, at 5 p.m. at Dublin Coffman High School.

Softball – Lakota West 3, Ursuline 2 – Lakota West received another good outing from senior pitcher Alex Caudill, who struck out 16 batters in a 3-2 win against Ursuline in a district title game at Lakota East High School on Saturday. The Firebirds (19-4) will face Glen Este (24-4) in a regional semifinal matchup on Wednesday, May 25, at Mason High School at 5 p.m.

Softball – Lakota East 2, Northmont 0 – The Thunderhawks won its district title matchup against Northmont by the score of 2-0 in eight innings on Saturday. Senior pitcher Sara Pearson improved her record to 21-2 and stuck out 14 batters in the victory. The win advances Lakota East (26-2) to the regional semifinal where it will face Wayne (16-10) at Mason High School on Thursday, May 26, at 5 p.m.

Tennis – district tournament – Lakota East junior Zack Mueck and senior Freddy Abunku face each other in the finals of the district tournament at Centerville on Saturday. Mueck advanced to the final by defeating Sycamore senior Adam Reinhart by the score of 6-3, 6-2, while Abunku won his district semifinal match against Princeton junior Conner Nagel by the score of 6-4, 6-2. In the final, Mueck defeated Abunku 6-4, 6-1. Both players are headed to the state tournament, May 27-28 at Hilliard Davidson High School (near Columbus).

(Photo: From earlier game against Lakota West)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alex Corna, baseball, Brian Evans, Craig Thomson, Freddy Abunku, Jesse Rait, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mitch Geers, Sara Pearson, softball, tennis, Zach Mueck, Zack Farmer

On Monday, May 16, Lakota West senior pitcher Alex Caudill gave up a run in a 3-1 postseason victory against Springfield. The run ended Caudill’s record-setting streak for consecutive scoreless innings pitched at 57.

The previous Lakota West record holder, Lindsay Bodekar, started the 2006 season with 54 consecutive scoreless innings, according to Westfirebirds.com.

According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association record book, Caudill’s 57 scoreless innings ties her for 23rd all-time in the state of Ohio. Convoy Crestview’s Keri Perkins, who threw 142 consecutive scoreless innings in 2001, holds the OHSAA state record.

Heading into the Springfield game, Caudill had 138 stikeouts in 101 innings and a 0.69 earned run average this season. She is also the only pitcher this season to earn a win against Lakota East, which she has done twice this season.

Caudill is currently nominated for “LaRosa’s MVP of the Week” and will continue her softball career at Northern Kentucky University.

Note: Lakota East senior catcher Kelly Hardison, who will play at the College of Mt. St. Joe, broke her own single-season Greater Miami Conference home run record when she hit her eighth in a 7-1 victory against Fairfield on Thursday, May 19. Lakota East is scheduled to face Clayton Northmont at Fairmont High School this Saturday, at 12 p.m. (time of game has moved from 1 p.m.)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, record, softball

The Lakota East and Lakota West softball teams advanced to district title games with wins on Monday, May 16. Lakota East defeated Fairborn by the score of 10-0 in five innings, while Lakota West edged Springfield by the score of 3-1.

Lakota East (24-2 overall, 15-2 in the Greater Miami Conference) received another strong performance from its senior pitcher Sara Pearson, who improved her record to 19-2 and struck out eight batters in the postseason victory. Pearson (2-for-4), junior Alyssa Grevenkamp (3-for-4, 3B), senior Kelly Hardison (2-for-2), freshman Gracie Sprockett (2B, 2 RBIs) and junior Kim Rollins (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) led the Thunderhawks at the plate.

Meanwhile, Lakota West (18-4 overall, 15-3 in the GMC) senior pitcher Alex Caudill improved her record to 12-2 on the year.

In the postseason the Thunderhawks will face Clayton Northmont in its district final game, which will be played at 1 p.m. at Fairmont High School this Saturday, May 21. This Wednesday, however, Lakota East will host Fairfield (17-3 overall, 15-2 in the GMC) in a late regular season game that will decide the 2011 GMC championship.

Lakota West is scheduled to play its district championship game against Ursuline Academy (13-6 overall, 6-3 in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League) this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lakota East High School.

Baseball – Lakota East 7, Kings 4 – The Thunderhawks defeated Kings by the score of 7-4 on Monday in what was a late regular season matchup between the two schools. Senior J.D. Whetsel (2-for-3, 2B), sophomore Jarret Rindfleisch (2-for-4), Rait (2B, 2 RBI), junior Blake Wilder (2 runs), senior Brian Evans (2B, 2 RBIs) and senior Zak Kloenne (2 RBIs) led Lakota East at the plate. Lakota East is scheduled to face Clermont Northeastern at 5 p.m. today. On Thursday, May 19, the Thunderhawks will face GMC foe Sycamore in the district semifinals (postseason) at 5 p.m. at Harrison High School. Lakota East (18-7 overall, 13-5 in the GMC) has already played Sycamore (11-7 overall, 10-7 in the GMC) twice this month (May 6-7) and won both games (5-4 in extra innings and 10-7).

Baseball – Lakota West 4, Springboro 3 – In a late regular season matchup, the Firebirds defeated Springboro by the score of 4-3 on Monday. Junior Zack Farmer (2-for-3, 2B), senior Ryan Oltporik (2-for-3, 3B) and junior Troy Dombart (2-for-3, 3B) led Lakota West at the plate. Lakota West will face GMC rival Mason in the district semifinals this Thursday, May 19, at 5 p.m. at Oak Hills High School. Lakota West (15-10 overall, 9-9 in the GMC) has already lost to Mason (15-9 overall, 9-9 in the GMC) twice this month – by the score of 12-3 May 4 and by the score of 7-1 on May 7.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Blake Wilder, Brian Evans, daily sports roundup, Gracie Sprockett, J.D. Whetsel, Jarrett Rindfleisch, Kelly Hardison, Kim Rollins, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Ryan Oltporik, Sara Pearson, Troy Dombart, Zack Farmer, Zak Kloenne

Lakota West finished the regular season on a high note after outlasting rival Mason in a 1-0 victory in 16 innings on Monday, May 9. The win improves the Firebirds’ record to 16-4 overall and 15-3 within the Greater Miami Conference.

Lakota West senior pitcher Alex Caudill struck out nine batters in the game. Teammates, junior Bekah Werth (2-for-6), junior Amanda Lahti (3-for-6, 2B), freshman Ashley Sharp (2-for-7) and freshman Alyssa Hedric (2-for-6) led the Firebirds at the plate.

The Firebirds are scheduled to open the postseason against Middletown (6-13 overall, 5-11 in the GMC) this Wednesday, May 11, at 5 p.m. at Lakota West. The winner will advance to the next round of the district tournament and will face the winner of the Little Miami/Springfield game. That next round matchup will be played May 16 at 5 p.m. at West Carrollton High School.

Softball – Lakota East 28, Meadowdale 0 – The Thunderhawks opened up the postseason by defeating Meadowdale (Dayton) by the score of 28-0 in five innings during a game Monday, May 9. Lakota East, which is ranked No. 1 in the state by the Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association, received a perfect game from sophomore pitcher Lea Buckenmyer, who struck out nine batters in the win. She also went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs. Lakota East junior Claire Lyons led all batters with six RBIs. Lakota East (20-2 overall, 13-2 in the GMC) will now host Stebbins (Dayton) this Wednesday, May 11, at 5 p.m. The winner will then advance to face the winner of the Beavercreek/Fairborn game. That next round matchup will be played May 16 at 5 p.m. at Fairmont High School.

Baseball – Hamilton 8, Lakota East 4 – Hamilton spoiled senior day at Lakota East by defeating the Thunderhawks by the score of 8-4 on Monday. Senior Mitch Geers led the Thunderhawks with four RBIs in the loss. Despite the defeat, Lakota East remains at the top of the GMC standings with a 15-7 overall record and a 12-5 mark within the conference. Lakota East will begin postseason play this Thursday, May 12, at 5 p.m. by hosting the winner of Tuesday’s Western Brown/Aiken game. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alyssa Hedric, Amanda Lahti, Ashley Sharp, baseball, Bekah Werth, boys' tennis, Freddy Abunku, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, softball, tennis

Lakota West bounced back from a 5-0 loss to Fairfield on Monday with a 10-0 victory against Sycamore on Thursday, April 21.

The Firebirds were led by another strong performance by senior pitcher Alex Caudill, who struck out nine batters in the win. Caudill is now 6-2 on the season.

At the plate, senior Yasmin Battle went 2-for-4 and scored three runs for Lakota West. Her teammates, freshman Ashley Sharp (2-for-4, 2B), junior Jessica Burke (2-for-3) and junior Becka Werth (3-for-3) also hit the ball well.

With the win, Lakota West improves to 9-3 overall and 8-2 in the Greater Miami Conference. After the loss, Sycamore falls to 2-10 overall and 2-9 in the GMC.

Next up on the schedule for the Firebirds is road game at Colerain (4-6 overall, 4-6 in the GMC) at noon.

Softball – Fairfield takes first place - While Lakota East didn’t play on Thursday; Fairfield earned its 10th conference victory when it defeated Colerain by the score of 5-4. The win improves the Indians record to 10-1 overall and 10-1 within the GMC. Being idle, the Thunderhawks remained at 14-1 overall and 9-1 within the GMC. Both teams will play out-of-conference opponents over the weekend, but will be back facing GMC foes on Monday. This upcoming Monday, East will host Colerain, while Fairfield host Mason. Both games will be played at 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball – Lakota West def. Middletown – Lakota West improved to 7-6 overall and 5-1 within the GMC with a 25-15, 25-14, 25-13 win at Middletown on Thursday. Junior Alex Vohland led Lakota West with five service aces. Senior Rio Onuki (eight kills) and junior Brian Fintel (four kills) also put in solid performances for the Firebirds. Next on the schedule, Lakota West will host rival Lakota East (12-3 overall, 4-0 in the GMC) this Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m.

(WestChesterBuzz also provided a game story for Lakota East’s 4-1 win against Lakota West)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alex Vohland, Ashley Sharp, baseball, Becka Werth, boys' volleyball, Brian Fintel, Jessica Burke, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Rio Onuki, softball, volleyball, Yasmin Battle

Both the Lakota East baseball and softball teams hosted and defeated squads from Oak Hills on Monday, April 18. The baseball team won its game by the score of 7-6, while the softball team defeated Oak Hills by the score of 3-1.

Lakota East sophomore Jarret Rindfleish doubled, tripled and drove in two runs in the win. His teammate senior Craig Tomson also drove in two runs.

With the win, Lakota East remains in first place in the Greater Miami Conference. The Thunderhawks are now 8-3 overall and 7-2 in the GMC. East is a game ahead of Mason (8-3 overall, 6-3 in GMC) and Sycamore in the conference standings.

Next up on the schedule, Lakota East will face Oak Hills on the road this Wednesday, April 20, at 5 p.m.

In softball, Lakota East senior Sara Pearson had another dominating performance striking out 16 and improving her record to 11-1 on the season. At the plate, freshman Taylor Fair (2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBIs) and junior Ainsley Ellison (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) led the Thunderhawks.

The win keeps the Thunderhawks tied with Fairfield atop the GMC standings. In its next game, Lakota East (14-1 overall, 9-1 in GMC) will face its rival Lakota West on the road at noon this Wednesday, April 20.

Baseball – Sycamore 11, Lakota West 1 – Sycamore run-ruled Lakota West in five innings in what ended as an 11-1 win for the Aves on Monday. Sycamore pitcher Kyle Hart improved his record to 3-1. Hart also struck out 10 batters. With the win, Sycamore improves its overall record to 6-3 and its GMC record to 6-3. Lakota West falls to 9-5 overall and to 6-4 in the GMC. The Firebirds will get another chance to defeat Sycamore when it hosts the same opponent this Wednesday, April 20, at 5 p.m.

Softball – Fairfield 5, Lakota West 0 – Fairfield rebounded from its loss to Lakota East on Thursday with a 5-0 win against Lakota West on Monday. Fairfield pitcher Erica D’Arcy improved to 9-1 this season. In 10 games, D’Arcy has 46 strikeouts in 67 innings and a 0.63 ERA. Lakota West senior pitcher Alex Caudill falls to 5-3 on the year. With the win, Fairfield remains tied for first place in the GMC with Lakota East. Both first-place teams are 9-1 in the GMC. With the loss, Lakota West’s record falls to 8-3 overall and 7-2 in the GMC. The Firebirds will play at Colerain (4-4 overall, 4-4 in the GMC) this Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsley Ellison, Alex Caudill, baseball, Craig Tomson, Erica D’Arcy, Jarret Rindfleisch, Kyle Hart, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Sara Pearson, softball, Taylor Fair

There will be plenty of sports action during Lakota’s spring break. Two of the bigger contests will involve both high schools, Lakota East and Lakota West, as they will battle one another in softball and in baseball this week.

On Wednesday, April 20, at noon, the softball teams will clash in a game that could help decide the Greater Miami Conference championship. Lakota East (13-1 overall, 8-1 in the GMC) lost to Lakota West (8-2 overall, 7-1 in the GMC) earlier this season by the score of 2-0. The game will feature two of the area’s top pitchers in Sara Pearson (LE – committed to Memphis) and Alex Caudill (LW – committed to Northern Kentucky). The game will be played at Lakota West.

The following afternoon, at 5 p.m., Lakota East will host rival Lakota West in what should be another important GMC contest. Currently, Lakota East has a 7-3 overall record and is alone in first place with a 6-2 conference record. Meanwhile, Lakota West is close behind with a 9-4 overall record and a 6-3 conference mark.

Here is a look at the rest of the weekly schedule:

Monday, April 18

Lakota East – Softball – vs. Oak Hills at 4:30 p.m.
Lakota West – Baseball – at Sycamore at 4:30 p.m.
Lakota West – Softball – at Fairfield at 4:30 p.m.
Lakota East – Baseball – vs. Oak Hills at 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 19

Lakota West – Softball – at Colerain at 4:30 p.m.
Lakota East– Boys’ Volleyball – at Sycamore at 7 p.m. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, athletic schedule, baseball, boys' volleyball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Sara Pearson, softball, volleyball