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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).

• Lakota East softball team statistics
• Lakota West softball team statistics

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.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsley Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Alyssa Hedric, Amanda Lahti, Ashley Sharp, Gracie Sprockett, Jessica Burke, Kadey Astrop, Kathleen Burbrink, Lakota East, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Lea Buckenmyer, Taylor Fair

Lakota West celebrates after defeating Lakota East in the state tournament last season. The Firebirds were the only softball team to defeat Lakota East in 2011, winning twice in the regular season and again in the state quarterfinals. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota East and Lakota West featured in The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Division I softball preview

Mark Schmetzer reports

Lakota East’s march to last season’s Division I state tournament was memorably stopped short by Lakota West in the regional finals.

There’s a good chance those two schools will play major roles in this season’s tournament – or, if not those two, another area team, according to Lakota East coach Steve Castner.

“I believe the area will hold its own, as it has for years,” he said.

Castner’s Thunderhawks, who finished the regular season as champions of both the Associated Press state poll and The Enquirer area coaches’ poll, have three first-team all-Greater Miami Conference performers returning in junior Lea Buckenmyer and two seniors, right fielder Ainsley Ellison and shortstop Alyssa Grevenkamp.

Lakota East was the favorite to win the state title last season, but was ousted 1-0 in the state quarterfinals by rival Lakota West May 28, 2011. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Buckenmyer will move from first base to take over for Sara Pearson, last year’s Enquirer Player of the Year. Buckenmyer was 5-0 with a 1.31 earned-run average in 10 games last season.

The Firebirds, who lost in the state semifinals, have experience in senior third baseman Amanda Lahti, who hit .440 while being named first-team all-GMC last season, and senior catcher Jessica Burke.

Fairfield, which tied Lakota West for second in the GMC, returns six starters, led by senior third baseman Kelly Browning, a two-time, first-team all-GMC selection.

Mason also will be counting on seniors, according to coach Liann Muff. Pitcher Sarah Browning was named first-team all-GMC last season while catcher Margo Hutchinson, shortstop Jill Richardson and third baseman Claire Wehby were second-team picks.

Glen Este, the third local team to reach last season’s regional tournament, lost all-state pitcher Kelly Benhase, but coach Tim Gregory expects sophomore right-hander Bailey Miller and freshman left-hander Brook Parker to capably plug the hole for the youthful Trojans.

Mercy, which won the Girls Greater Cincinnati League Scarlet Division championship and reached the Division II regional finals last season, has eight returning starters, including pitchers Amy Feie and Anna Eggleston, to help a weather move up to Division I.

“We have great potential, experienced leaders and team motivation,” coach Stefanie Kathman said.

The Bobcats will be challenged by McAuley, which finished second in the Scarlet behind second baseman Rachel Oakley, who hit .513.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsley Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Lahti, Jessica Burke, Lakota East, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Lea Buckenmyer, Steve Castner

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 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

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.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alyssa Hedric, Ashley Sharp, baseball, boys' tennis, boys' volleyball, Jessica Burke, lacrosse, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, softball, tennis

Lakota West split a doubleheader against Kings this Saturday, April 2, losing the first game by the score of 5-4 before winning the second 12-4. After the weekend ended, Lakota West had a 2-3 overall record and a 1-2 mark in the Greater Miami Conference.

Lakota West senior Ryan Oltorik hit well in both games, combining to go 5-for-8 at the plate on the day. Junior teammate Cameron Hicks was 3-for-3 in the second game of the doubleheader.

Next up on the schedule is a road contest against Colerain (1-4 overall, 1-2 in GMC) today, April 4, at 5 p.m.

Baseball – Lakota East 6, Olentangy 1 – The Thunderhawks won their first game of the day on Saturday, April 2, when they defeated Olentangy by the score of 6-1. Senior J.D. Whetsel, who signed on to play baseball at Cornell, went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs in the win. Senior teammate Mitch Geers also drove in two runs while going 2-for-3 at the plate.

Baseball – LaSalle 13, Lakota East 9 – LaSalle (No. 4 in Cincinnati Enquirer Coaches Poll) defeated Lakota East (No. 3 in coaches poll) by the score of 13-9 in a battle between two of region’s top-ranked teams. Whetsel was 3-for-5, had two triples and drove in two runs. Next up on the schedule is a road contest at Princeton (3-2 overall, 1-2 in GMC) today, April 4, at 5 p.m.

Softball – Lakota East 10, Conner 2 – For the second straight day, Lakota East defeated a Northern Kentucky opponent in the Tournament of Champions in Hebron. On Saturday, the Thunderhawks beat Conner by the score of 10-2. Senior pitcher Sara Pearson improved her record to 4-1. She also homered and drove in three runs. Junior teammate Alyssa Grevenkamp went 2-for-2 at the plate and scored three runs. Next up on the schedule is a road contest at Princeton (1-4 overall, 1-2 in GMC) today, April 4, at 4:30 p.m.

Softball – Lakota West 5, Milford 1 – Lakota West won its first of two games on Saturday when it defeated Milford by the score of 5-1. Senior pitcher Alex Caudill improved her record to 3-1 on the season. At the plate, junior Jessica Burke led Lakota West by going 3-for-4 and by driving in two runs.

Softball – Glen Este 11, Lakota West 0 (five innings) – The Firebirds suffered their second loss of the season when it lost by the score of 11-0 to Glen Este Saturday, April 2. Freshman Ashley Sharp pitched for Lakota West. Senior Alex Caudill has started the other four games of the season for Lakota West. Next up on the schedule for Lakota West (3-2 overall, 2-1 in GMC) is a road game at Oak Hills (0-2 overall, 0-2 in GMC) today, April 4, at 4:30 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Ashley Sharp, baseball, Cameron Hicks, J.D. Whetsel, Jessica Burke, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mitch Geers, Ryan Oltorik, Sara Pearson, softball