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The Cincinnati Enquirer sports department named its spring athletes of the year Tuesday, June 28. Among the six athletes named Enquirer Players of the Year, three are from Lakota East High School.

Those three include junior pitcher Michael Conrad (baseball), senior pitcher Sara Pearson (softball) and junior singles player Zach Mueck (tennis).

“They’re part of what has been the best athletic year ever at Lakota East, from the fall to the winter to the spring,” said Lakota East athletic director Richard Bryant told the Enquirer. “All three were absolutely dominant in their sports.”

>>>PHOTOS FROM ENQUIRER ALL-STAR PHOTO SHOOT<<<

Conrad was one of the two aces on the Thunderhawks’ baseball team that captured the state title earlier this month. He finished the year with a 5-1 record, a 1.11 earned run average and tied a Lakota school district record with 115 strikeouts. His performance this season has already landed the junior pitcher college offers. In June, Conrad has received offers from Indiana University, the University of Toledo and Ohio University.

>>>GAME PHOTOS OF SARA PEARSON<<<

Senior softball pitcher Sara Pearson led Lakota East to a No. 1 ranking in the state coaches’ poll, a 28-3 overall record in 2011 and East’s first-ever Greater Miami Conference championship. Pearson, who will continue her career at the University of Memphis, won 22 games, struck out 264 batters and held a 0.30 ERA this season. She also hit six home runs, had an on-base percentage of .434 and a batting average of .363.

>>>MATCH PHOTOS OF ZACK MUECK<<<

Junior singles player Zach Mueck finished as the state-runner up in Division I state singles tournament for the second consecutive season. Mueck, who recently verbally committed to Xavier University, finished the year with a 29-1 record. His only loss was in the state final to Evan Bechtel of Toledo St. John’s.

The other three spring Enquirer Players of the Year included La Salle teammates Ethan Bokeno and Rodriguez Coleman (boys’ track and field) and Withrow junior D’Monami Gardner (girls’ track and field).

For the entire story, visit “Enquirer spring sport all-stars.” The story can also be found in today’s Cincinnati Enquirer.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, boys' tennis, Enquirer Players of the Year, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Michael Conrad, Mike Conrad, photo gallery, photos, Sara Pearson, softball, tennis, Zach Mueck

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

The Lakota East baseball and softball teams both won their regional semifinal matches on Friday, May 27, by one run. The baseball team defeated Northmont by the score of 1-0, while the softball team defeated Wayne by the score of 3-2.

The Lakota East baseball team won in the 12th inning after a ground ball by senior Zak Kloenne found the outfield and scored senior Craig Thomson, who had doubled off the left field fence earlier in the inning. The win advances the Thunderhawks to their second Division I regional final in school history.

Lakota East (22-7 overall) will now face Butler (27-3 overall) at noon today, May 28, at University of Cincinnati’s Marge Schott Stadium. The Thunderhawks head coach Ray Hamilton had planned to start UC commit senior pitcher Evan Hills this afternoon, but may after to find another starter after Hills threw five scoreless innings of relief on Friday.

Hills (photo from an earlier game this season) combined with starter junior Mike Conrad to throw 12 shutout innings in the win, struck out 12 and to hold Northmont hitters to four hits in 37 at-bats. Conrad and Hills had been the Thunderhawks’ most-used pitchers all season long.

“All I know is we’re playing in the region finals and I don’t care who we’re throwing,” Lakota East coach Ray Hamilton told Cincinnati.com. “I’m not concerned. This team comes to play every day.”

Meanwhile, the Lakota East softball team also had a dramatic win on Friday. After giving up a 2-0 lead, the Thunderhawks found themselves tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. That was when senior catcher Kelly Hardison, who holds the single season record for home runs in the Greater Miami Conference, hit her ninth homer of season.

“It felt good right when I hit it,” Hardison told Cincinnati.com of her walk-off home run.”

Lakota East senior pitcher Sara Pearson improved her record to 23-2 and struck out nine batters in the win.

Lakota East (28-2) will play Lakota West (20-4 overall) in the regional final today, May 28, at 5 p.m. at Mason High School. The Firefirds are the only team that has been able to defeat Lakota East all season. Lakota West defeated the Thunderhawks by the score of 2-0 in late March and by the score of 2-0 in early May.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, Craig Thomson, Evan Hills, Kelly Hardison, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Mike Conrad, Ray Hamilton, regional final, regional semifinal, regional semifinals, Sara Pearson, softball, Zak Kloenne

Lakota East was able to squeeze in another regular season softball game on Tuesday, May 24. By doing so, the Thunderhawks added another win to their record when they defeated Clermont Northeastern by the score of 5-0.

Lakota East senior pitcher Sara Pearson improved her record to 22-2 on the season and struck out 15 batters in the win. Junior Alyssa Grevenkamp led the Thunderhawks at the plate by going 2-for-3.

The Thunderhawks (27-2 overall) will be back in action, weather permitting, against Wayne (16-10 overall) in the regional semifinal at Mason High School this Thursday, May 26, at 5 p.m.

The forecast from the National Weather Service shows that showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 4 p.m. on Thursday. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Meanwhile, there are numerous other postseason sporting events scheduled this week. However, rain could force some or all of those contests to be delayed or postponed.

Here is a look at the rest of the week’s postseason athletic schedule:

Wednesday, May 25

Lakota East and Lakota West – Track – qualifiers from the district meet at Winton Woods will compete in the regional meet at Welcome Stadium (University of Dayton) at 4 p.m.
Lakota West – Softball – vs. Glen Este in regional semifinal at Mason High School at 5 p.m. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Sara Pearson, 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

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

The final Ohio High Softball Coaches Association poll was released this week and the Lakota East Thunderhawks remained in the No. 1 spot. Locally, Glen Este (No. 5) was the only other school to be included in the latest statewide poll.

The Lakota East softball team also finished in the No. 1 spot in the final Cincinnati Enquirer’s coaches’ poll. The rest of the top five included Glen Este (No. 2), Fairfield (No. 3), Lakota West (No. 4) and Milford (No. 5).

Lakota East (23-2 overall, 15-2 in the Greater Miami Conference) is currently tied with Fairfield (17-2 overall, 15-2 in the GMC) atop the GMC standings. The Thunderhawks only two losses this season came against rival Lakota West.

Senior pitcher Sara Pearson, who has complied an 18-2 record this season, leads the Thunderhawks. She also leads the GMC in earned average, wins and strikeouts. Pearson has also performed well at the plate (.388 batting average). Through Wednesday, Pearson leads all Thunderhawk starters in on-base percentage (.463) and runs batted in (29).

Hitting directly behind Pearson in the lineup, in the cleanup spot (fourth in the order), senior catcher Kelly Hardison leads the team with seven home runs and is second with 28 runs batted in. Through Wednesday, she is currently hitting .362 and has a .416 on-base percentage.

Five other starters, Ainsley Ellison (.509), Alyssa Grevenkamp (.324), Kim Rollins (.344) and Lea Buckenmyer (.384) all have batting averages greater than .300 this season (through Wednesday).

After today’s game against Fairfield, Lakota East can focus back on the postseason. The Thunderhawks have already won two games this postseason and will play Fairborn (15-8 overall, 6-4 within the Greater Western Ohio Conference) at Fairmont High School on Monday, May 16, at 5 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsley Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Cincinnati Enquirer Coaches Poll, Kelly Hardison, Kim Rollins, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lea Buckenmyer, Sara Pearson, softball, softball rankings

Lakota East senior pitcher Sara Pearson, who has signed on to play softball with the University of Memphis, improved her record to 18-2 this season and struck out 12 batters in the Thunderhawks’ 5-1 win against Oak Hills on Thursday.

Pearson also went 2-for-4 at the plate. Her teammates senior Kelly Hardison (2-for-4) and junior Alyssa Grevenkamp (2-for-4, 3B) also performed well at the plate.

The win improves Lakota East’s record to 23-2 overall and 15-2 in the Greater Miami Conference. The Thunderhawks will play Fairfield (17-2 overall, 15-2 in the GMC) today at 5 p.m. for the opportunity to win their first-ever GMC title.

Baseball – Lakota West 6, Anderson 3 – No. 8 seed Lakota West upset No. 4 seed Anderson with a 6-3 postseason win on Thursday. Junior Zack Farmer led Lakota West by going 4-for-4 with a triple and three runs batted in. The win advances the Firebirds (14-10 overall, 9-9 in the GMC) to the district semifinals where they will play the No. 7-seeded Mason Comets (14-9 overall, 9-9 in the GMC) next Thursday, May 19, at Oak Hills High School at 5 p.m.

Baseball – Lakota East 10, Western Brown 2 – The GMC champion Thunderhawks advanced in the postseason after defeating Western Brown by the score of 10-2. Junior pitcher Mike Conrad got the win and struck out 15 batters. Senior J.D. Whetsel led the Thunderhawks at the plate by going 3-for-4 and driving in two runs. Lakota East (17-7 overall, 13-5 in the GMC) will now play Sycamore (11-7 overall, 10-7 in the GMC) next Thursday at Harrison High School at 5 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alyssa Grevenkamp, baseball, J.D. Whetsel, Kelly Hardison, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mike Conrad, Sara Pearson, softball, Zack Farmer

The Lakota West baseball team advanced past its first-round postseason game by defeating Woodward by the score of 18-0 in three innings on Tuesday, May 10.

At the plate, senior Brandon Dowty (2B), junior Zack Farmer (2B), senior Ryan Oltorik (2-for-2), junior Troy Dombart (2-for-3, two 2Bs) and junior Kenton LeVay (2-for-2) led the Firebirds.

The win advances Lakota West (13-10 overall, 9-9 in the Greater Miami Conference) to the next round of the district tournament. The 8th-seeded Firebirds will now have to play the 4th-seeded Anderson Redskins (16-2 overall, 12-2 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) this Friday at Anderson at 5 p.m.

Softball – Lakota East 12, Sycamore 1 – After winning a postseason game on Monday, the Lakota East Thunderhawks played a regular season conference game against Sycamore on Tuesday. The Thunderhawks won that game by the score of 12-1 in six innings. Senior pitcher Sara Pearson improved her record to 17-2 and struck out 10 batters. On the year, Pearson has 194 strikeouts in 116 innings and a 0.30 earned run average. Lakota East will be back playing in the postseason today, May 11, when it hosts Stebbins (Dayton) at 5 p.m.

Volleyball – Lakota West def. Fairborn – The Lakota West boys’ volleyball team snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating Fairborn by the score of 25-8, 25-7, 25-15 on Tuesday. Sophomore Curtis Johnson (four service aces, 15 assists), senior Robert Hasselfeld (10 kills) and senior Rio Onuki (seven kills) led the Firebirds. Lakota West will begin postseason play May 19 at Centerville at 6:30 p.m. and will face the winner of the Beavercreek/Northmont match.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, boys' volleyball, Brandon Dowty, Curtis Johnson, Kenton LeVay, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Rio Onuki, Robert Hasselfeld, Ryan Oltorik, Sara Pearson, softball, Troy Dombart, volleyball, Zack Farmer

Lakota East remained ranked No. 1 in the state in the latest Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association poll. Lakota East received nine first-place votes and totaled 111 points in the poll.

Gahanna Lincoln, which is a few miles east of Columbus, fell from No. 2 to No. 3 and had a total of 78 points. Elyria, which is about 30 miles west of Cleveland, moved up from No. 3 to No. 2 and had two first-place votes and totaled 92 points in the poll.

Locally, Glen Este (No. 4) and Lebanon (No. 9) were included in the latest statewide poll. Glen Este (65 points) moved from No. 5 from last week’s poll and Lebanon (24 points) moved down from No. 8 from last week’s poll.

Currently, Lakota East is No. 1 in the Cincinnati Enquirer’s coaches’ poll. The Thunderhawks have a total of 116 points and eight first-place votes, while the No. 2 team, Glen Este, has a total of 109 points and four first-place votes.

Lakota East is 15-1 overall and 9-1 within the Greater Miami Conference. Its only loss, which was against rival Lakota West, came in its second game of the season. West (9-3 overall, 8-2 in the GMC) is currently ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer poll. The two rivals are scheduled to play tomorrow, April 28, at 4:30 p.m.

The Thunderhawks are led by their senior pitcher Sara Pearson, who has complied a 12-1 record this season. Pearson also has 141 strikeouts in 80 innings and a 0.44 earned run average. She has also performed well at the plate with a .517 on-base percentage and a .447 batting average. Pearson has 21 hits in 47 at-bats, 16 runs, three doubles, four home runs and 17 runs batted in.

Hitting directly behind Pearson in the lineup, in the cleanup spot (fourth in the order), senior catcher Kelly Hardison leads the team with six home runs and 23 runs batted in. She is currently hitting .396 and has a .463 on-base percentage.

Five other starters, Ainsley Ellison (.513), Alyssa Grevenkamp (.360), Kim Rollins (.370) and Lea Buckenmyer (.306) all have batting averages greater than .300 this season.

Right now, Lakota East trails Fairfield (10-1 overall, 10-1 in the GMC) in the GMC standings. The two teams finish the season against each other May 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Lakota East High School.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Cincinnati Enquirer Coaches Poll, Kelly Hardison, Kim Rollins, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lea Buckenmyer, rankings, Sara Pearson, softball, softball rankings