Lakota West junior Alyssa Hedric was one of the top hitters in the Greater Miami Conference last season. She has committed to play softball at Miami (Ohio). Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.
Lakota West junior Alyssa Hedric has committed to continue her softball career at Miami (Ohio) University, according to the Lakota West athletic department. Hedric hit leadoff and played center field for Lakota West last season.
Hedric, who helped lead the Firebirds to the state final four her freshman year and to a Greater Miami Conference title in 2012, was named first team all-GMC last season.
Last season, Hedric led her team in doubles with 10 and was third in the GMC in that category. She also co-led Lakota West in runs scored with 24, was third on her team with 26 hits and second on her team with 6 stolen bases. Hedric finished the year with a .306 batting average and a .427 on-base percentage.
In October, her junior teammate Ashley Sharp committed to play softball at Wright State University. Like Hedric, Sharp was named first team all-GMC in 2012.
As a sophomore, Sharp made 26 appearances, totaled 173.1 innings, struck out 178 hitters, had 11 shutouts, a 1.09 earned run average and posted a 20-5 win-loss record. Sharp also led her team with three home runs and 21 runs batted in, while having a .295 batting average.
According to the Greater Miami Conference website, Lakota West will open the 2013 season at Middletown on Monday, April 1.
Lakota West sophomore Ashley Sharp led team her team in runs batted in and led the GMC in wins on the mound. Photo taken during a game in April by Amanda Davidson.
A total of 12 Lakota high school softball players were recently selected to the Greater Miami Conference first and second teams. Lakota East had four first-team selections, while Lakota West had three.
Making the first team from Lakota East were junior Lea Buckenmyer (led team with a .432 batting average and with 19 wins), senior Ainsley Ellison (led team in runs, hits and stolen bases – she also hit .430) senior Alyssa Grevenkamp (hit .337) and senior Kim Rollins (hit .352).
Lakota West honorees included sophomore Alyssa Hedric (lead team in doubles and tied for lead in runs scored), senior Amanda Lahti (tied on team in runs scored, also hit .330) and sophomore Ashley Sharp (led team with 21 runs batted in and led GMC in wins with 20).
Second-team selections include sophomore Kadey Astrop, sophomore Taylor Fair and sophomore Gracie Sprockett, all from Lakota East; as well as sophomore Kathleen Burbrink and senior Jessica Burke, both from Lakota West.
Both Lakota varsity softball teams finished at the top of the GMC standings – Lakota West took first place with a 23-6 overall record and a 16-2 mark within the GMC, while Lakota East finished in second place with 22-8 overall record and a 15-3 mark in conference play.
In addition to the student athletes, Lakota West head coach Keith Castner was selected as the GMC coach of the year. Castner earned his 300th career win in April and led Lakota West to its first GMC title since 2009.
Lakota West continues to have Lakota East’s number in softball, winning its fourth straight against its school district rival. The latest coming by way of a 6-2 victory Friday over the Thunderhawks.
Last season, Lakota East was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the spring and lost only three of its 31 games. All three losses came at the hand of the Firebirds, including one that eliminated Lakota East in the state quarterfinals.
“I don’t think they have our number,” Lakota East head coach Steve Castner said. “This is a new year. We have a new group of girls … it is high school softball and the team that scores the most or doesn’t make the most mistakes – wins. That is all it is.”
Entering this season, both schools, which are coached by brothers, Steve and Keith Castner, were tied atop The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Division I Preseason Poll. Entering Friday’s matchup, both high schools were also unbeaten in the Greater Miami Conference in the early going this spring.
“It is always a rivalry. We can always down play it. I never make it about us, the brothers, because it about the girls,” Lakota West head coach Keith Castner said. “They love this game, practically when it is against East because they all know each other. I am really happy for them.”
Sophomore centerfielder Alyssa Hedric, who doubled twice, scored twice and drove in another run, led the Firebirds’ offense.
Sophomore centerfielder Alyssa Hedric scores on a wild pitch in the first inning. Hedric doubled twice, scored twice and drove in another run during a 6-2 win Friday against rival Lakota East. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.
She scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first inning after doubling and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt.
In the third inning, Hedric drove in sophomore Marisa Walterbusch with her second double. Afterwards, she celebrated by flexing her muscles while standing on top of the second base bag.
“It is a team thing, everyone does it if you get a double or any hit,” Hedric said about flexing after her second double.
Later in the third, Hedric would score on a triple by senior first baseman Amanda Lahti. Lahti, who has signed on to play at Ohio Northern, scored on the play when the relay throw went over the head of Lakota East third baseman Gracie Sprockett.
“We just started off strong, everybody hit, came out on fire and that gave us a lot of confidence throughout the game,” Hedric said.
That confidence led to two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“This win means a lot,” Keith Castner said. “We have a lot of hard working girls, who are bound and determined each game.”
In the loss, Lakota East finished with seven hits, missed multiple opportunities to score and committed two errors. To beat Lakota West, the Thunderhawks head coach said that his team will need to minimize their mistakes.
“We are in game 5, we have 27 games in the regular season plus tournament and you are going to make mistakes in game 5,” Steve Castner said. “It is game 28, 29 and 30 where mistakes cannot happen.”
Both teams will have more time to improve when they face off again April 19 at Lakota East.
BOX: Sharp (5-1, 3 K’s). Buckenmyer (3-1, 6 K’s). LE Rollins 2B, Dendler 2B, Callihan 2B Astrop 2-3, 2B. LW Hedric 2-3 2Bs, Lahti 3B, Walterbusch 3-3, Johnson 2B. LE (4-1), LW (5-1).
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…)
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…)
Lakota West defeated one of the Greater Miami Conference’s top baseball teams in Middletown by the score of 9-4 yesterday, April 8. Junior Jake Wagner led the Firebirds by going 3-for-4 and driving in three runs at the plate. The win improves Lakota West’s record to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the GMC. The loss drops the Middies’ record to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the GMC.
Baseball – Lakota East 7, Colerain 6 – After losing to Colerain 4-3 on Wednesday, the Thunderhawks were able to revenge that loss by defeated the Cardinals by the score of 7-6 on Friday. Sophomore Jarret Rindfleisch (3-for-3, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs) and junior Alex Corna (2-for-3, 3B, 2 runs) led Lakota East in the win. With the win, Lakota East improves to 5-3 overall and 4-2 in the GMC.
Softball – Lakota West 8, Princeton 1 – Lakota West freshman Ashley Sharp improved her record to 3-1 on the season when her team defeated Princeton by the score of 8-1 on Friday. Sharp also struck out 12 batters in the win. Her teammate freshman Alyssa Hedric went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three runs. The win improves the Firebirds’ record 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the GMC.
Softball – Lakota East 3, Mason 2 – The Thunderhawks received another strong performance from senior Sara Pearson, who improved to 8-1, after defeating Mason by the score of 3-2 on Friday. Pearson had 10 strikeouts. Freshman Kadelyn Astrop and senior Kelly Hardison both homered for Lakota East. The win improves Lakota East’s overall record to 10-1 and 5-1 within the GMC. Mason falls to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the GMC.
Tennis – Lakota East def. Elder – Lakota East defeated Elder on Friday by the score of 3-2. The Thunderhawks won all three of their singles matches and lost both doubles matches.
Tennis – Lakota West def. LaSalle – After starting the season on Tuesday, the Firebirds have won four straight matches in four straight days after defeating LaSalle by the score of 5-0 on Friday.
Volleyball – Lakota East def. Wayne – Lakota East extended its winning streak to five after a 25-26, 25-4, 25-10 win at Wayne on Friday. The win improves the Thunderhawks’ record to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the GMC. Lakota East improves to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the GMC.
In back-to-back afternoons, Lakota West freshman pitcher Ashley Sharp earned a win while on the mound. On Wednesday, April 6, Sharp struck out 11 hitters en route to an 11-1 victory over Hamilton in five innings. The freshman also went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Sharp’s teammates freshman Alyssa Hedric (2 RBIs, 2 runs), junior Jessica Burke (2-for-2) and senior Yasmin Battle (2-for-3) also put in good performances at the plate for the Firebirds.
The win improves Lakota West’s record to 5-2 overall and 4-1 within the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds will be back in action Friday, April 8, when they will host Princeton (1-6 overall, 1-4 in GMC) at 4:30 p.m.
Baseball – Colerain 4, Lakota East 3 – The Thunderhawks lost by the score of 4-3 in eight innings against Colerain on Wednesday. Senior Jesse Rait led Lakota East by going 2-for-3 and by driving in 2 RBIs at the plate. The loss drops the Thunderhawks’ record to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the GMC this season. Lakota East will be back in action this Friday, April 8, when it will host Colerain (2-4 overall, 2-2 in GMC) at 5 p.m.
Middletown 5, Lakota West 3 – Lakota West lost for the third time in four games when it fell to Middletown by the score of 5-3 on Wednesday. Lakota West junior Jake Wagner went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in the loss. Lakota West (3-5 overall, 2-4 GMC) will visit Colerain (2-4 overall, 2-2 in GMC) this afternoon for a game at 5 p.m. The game had previously been scheduled for Monday, April 4, but was rained out.
Softball – Lakota East 7, Colerain 0 – Lakota East senior pitcher Sara Pearson improved her record to 7-1 this season when the Thunderhawks defeated Colerain by the score of 7-0 on Wednesday. In the win, Pearson struck out 17 batters and went 4-for-4 at the plate. Her teammate junior Kim Rollins homered. The win improves Lakota East’s overall record to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the GMC. Lakota East will host Beavercreek this afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
Tennis – Sycamore def. Lakota East – The Thunderhawks lost for the first time this season when it failed to beat Sycamore on Wednesday. Lakota East lost by the score of 4-1. No. 1 singles Zach Mueck was only player on Lakota East to win his match. Lakota East (2-1 overall, 2-1 in GMC) will host Fairfield (0-1 overall, 0-1 in GMC) this afternoon at 4 p.m.
Tennis – Lakota West def. Colerain – The Lakota West boys’ tennis team improved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the GMC this season by winning two matches in consecutive days. The latest team win came against Colerain on Wednesday. The Firebirds won the match by the score of 5-0. Lakota West will host Oak Hills (1-1 overall, 0-1 in GMC) this afternoon at 4 p.m.
Volleyball – Lakota East def. Fairborn – The Thunderhawks boys’ volleyball team extended its winning streak to three matches when it defeated Fairborn by the score of 25-7, 25-13, 25-15 on Wednesday. With the win, Lakota East improves to 6-2 overall (1-0 in GMC) on the season. The team will host Hamilton (5-2 overall, 1-1 in GMC) tonight at 7 p.m.
Boys’ lacrosse – Summit Country Day 13, Lakota West 4 – The Firebirds couldn’t take down the unbeaten Summit Country Day squad in boys’ lacrosse on Wednesday. Summit Country Day improves to 4-0 on the season after defeating Lakota West by the score of 13-4. Lakota West will be back in action Friday, April 8, against its rival Lakota East. The match will be played at Lakota West at 8 p.m.
