Not off the Press: Tournaments ending, track athletes advancing and other views on high school sports
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
First, my apologies for those who read this column on a weekly basis … with tournament travel, a couple broken parts on my car wheel and writing many postseason articles, added with a print column, there weren't enough hours in the day to write this online-only column the way I felt necessary last week.
I want to start off by giving the City of Hillsboro some good news that doesn't pertain to fire contracts or items of such nature by congratulating Hillsboro junior Reese Leibreich on earning a spot in the 2012 OHSAA State Tennis championships this coming Friday at Ohio State University.
For a town that is possibly looking for some good news, join me in wishing Reese all the best as he plays tennis on the biggest stage in the state this Friday as this is a very rare feat in these parts.
Also in writing about that past couple weeks, all the Highland County baseball and softball teams have been eliminated from postseason play, but the county had three district runners-up with the Fairfield Lady Lions, Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs and Whiteoak Wildcats all reaching a district final game.
I also can't forget about the track and field runners, as we had many reach the regional level this coming week … so best of luck to all those runners as they are one step away from competing at the state level, but getting to the regional round is in fact a huge honor and achievement as well. (I wish I could run fast, but I chose the road of the cookie a long time ago).
Well, enough rambling, I have a lot to get to.
• No more baseball and softball
When the season started, I was still feeling the effects of a long winter season, but after covering a couple games, along with the start of the MLB season, I was at it full force, and this postseason was one of the better postseasons in recent memory with sectional and/or district softball wins from Whiteoak, Fairfield and McClain along with baseball sectional and/or district wins by Fairfield, Whiteoak, McClain, Hillsboro and Lynchburg-Clay.
One of the great tournament runs came from the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats softball team as they went 2-1 in the tournament, winning two sectional games for a sectional title after winning four games all regular season. I didn't get to see the postseason games in person, but we did have a game article on all three of the games, and I had email correspondences from coach Bret Malone, and just from the emails and text messages, I could get the feel of the enthusiasm they were having in that run.
In those games, WHS freshman Kiley Sosby totaled 39 strikeouts in three games. (Maybe that should have been a stat of the week.)
The best finish of a tournament game came in Greenfield with the McClain Lady Tigers winning 2-1 over the Washington Lady Blue Lions. Both runs came in the bottom of the seventh on errors, and I can't recall a game ever ending like that, especially in a tournament game. Very fun atmosphere to be in attendance.
I'll talk more about the postseason later in the column, with many stats and moments that stood out to me.
• Hillsboro and the state tournament
This school year has been one of the better years for HHS athletics, especially at the state level with seven individuals reaching the state level with Collin Rothwell starting the streak when he made it to the cross-country championships; the "Fab Five" group of wrestlers in the winter in the state wrestling tournament; and now with Leibreich in the tennis.
There could be more added to the list depending on the outcome of the the regional track and field championships this weekend.
So congratulations to Hillsboro High School and all their accomplishments this school year.
• Various stats and info from the softball and baseball postseason
If you read this column, you know I like a good stat now and then, and during football season, I like to keep everyone informed on what Kansas football coach Charlie Weis is up to.
With the baseball and softball tournaments complete for Highland County teams, here are some stats and tidbits of info that caught my attention.
- I've already mentioned the strikeout total for Kiley Sosby this postseason in three games, but did you realize in the sectional final game, she struck out 17 of 25 batters faced?
- Whiteoak junior pitcher Gage Carraher had 28 strikeouts this postseason in two starts and a relief appearance, which totaled 15 1-3 innings.
- This is a fun tidbit of info I was told … For Fairfield softball, the pitcher-catcher battery of Lauren Larrick (pitcher) and Whitney Hanenkrat (catcher) consisted of the homecoming queen pitching to the prom queen. (By the way … the pitcher and catcher were one of, if not the most, successful duos in FHS softball history).
- WHS was one win short of tying their single-season win total. This '12 group finished with a 20-8 overall record. The school record for wins in a year is 21.
- McClain's Cierra Landrum won 20 games this season and had the quietest no-hit bid in the history of softball in the sectional final. With MHS struggling at the plate and all eyes on that, Landrum took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, where she eventually finished the game with a 1-hitter.
- The Hillsboro baseball team won their first sectional title since '08 with a 6-2 win on May 10 over the Washington Blue Lions.
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- The LC baseball team played in their first district round game since 1997 this past weekend.
- One play that stands out is a perfectly placed safety squeeze by Valley's Adam Arnett in the bottom of the fifth. I and a fellow sports editor colleague have been waiting all season to see a safety squeeze perfected like that.
• Thoughts on non-high school sports and other things
- I can't wait to watch the Thunder-Spurs Western Conference Finals. It could be one of those series that many talk about for years to come.
- The best mustache in all of sports, Stan Van Gundy was fired by the Orlando Magic on Tuesday … their loss.
- The Reds are starting to look like the Reds we thought they could be … hope it holds up.
- Kerry Wood retired this past weekend … not a fan of any the teams he played on, but he could have been one of the greats if not for injuries.
- This is the time of year I read a lot of books … any suggestions for sports or history?
- The new format of the NASCAR All-Star race was awful … it needs to go back to the way it was … too much change isn't a good thing.
- This coming Sunday is a racing fan's dream …. The Indianapolis 500 followed by the Charlotte 600 for NASCAR. Can't wait.
- So, anyone else excited for a four-team college football playoff in '14? I hope this happens.
- Don't know what to think of "Men in Black 3" … I like Will Smith and I've seen the other two, so I'll give the third one a shot.
- I'm already sick and tired of the presidential campaigns, and it's only May.
- Saw the teaser trailer for "Anchorman 2" … it won't be released until late 2013 I believe, but it should be worth the wait … "NEWS TEAM, ASSEMBLE!"
- One last high school sports thought … I read a press release how there is will be no shot clock in the near future in Ohio high school basketball. I think it would take the slow out of the game, but I just want it to be like all other forms of basketball. Not many agree with my viewpoint as I had a column on the topic a couple years ago. What about you … Do you want a shot clock in high school basketball? Why or why not? Just curious.
• Stat of the Week
This stands out … Gage Carraher finished the season with 111 strikeouts, with an 8-2 overall record. He set the single-season WHS school record in strikeouts. In all but one start this year, Carraher totaled 10-plus strikeouts.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Whiteoak track and field team member Clarissa Johnson was the only athlete in Division III to advance to the regionals in four different individual events. Her finishes were third in the 100-meter dash (13.49), second in the 300m hurdles (49.54), second in the 200m dash (27.32) and fourth in the long jump (14-3). She scored 27 points.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
FHS senior Lauren Larrick graduates holding almost every pitching record in school history, except season strikeouts. Larrick ended her high school career with 58 wins, 26 shutouts, one perfect game, four no-hitters and six one-hitters. She totaled a career ERA of 1.45 with 672 strikeouts. In tournament games, Larrick was 9-3-1 in her four-year career, including seven shutouts.
• (A fourth) Stat of the Week
In 20 combined postseason games (baseball and softball), Highland County baseball and softball teams combined to score 108 runs.
• Quote of the Week
"I know there is a saying where there is 'no crying in baseball,' but walking out to talk to my team after the game, I was getting a bit emotional. Being in Division III, with the size of the schools and their numbers, it's rare to get a win like this." — Garyn Waits, Lynchburg-Clay baseball coach following the Mustangs' 6-0 district semifinal win over Alexander High School.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"My wish for this team is to just enjoy the ride and to appreciate the little things. I want them to enjoy the friendships and camaraderie we have built between us the last three months." — Chris Veidt, Whiteoak head baseball coach said in a preview of their district final game.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"This loss really stings, since it means this is the last time I get to write this lineup down. We have nine great seniors, and saying goodbye to them is tough. Unfortunately, baseball is a game that will break your heart, but it's a game that can give you some of the highest points of your life … (Tuesday) it broke our heart, but our guys will bounce back." — Tim Hunt, Hillsboro baseball head coach said following the Indians' district semifinal loss to Gallia Academy.
• One last item of business
Is there a better place to watch a baseball game in this area than VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe? I've watched baseball games all over the country, and I swear VA Memorial has one of the best atmospheres around when it come to just enjoying a baseball game. I love the facility, and the staff that run the stadium and tournaments are top-notch. They do a wonderful job at the stadium, and I just want to thank them for all their hospitality this past week or so.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.
I want to start off by giving the City of Hillsboro some good news that doesn't pertain to fire contracts or items of such nature by congratulating Hillsboro junior Reese Leibreich on earning a spot in the 2012 OHSAA State Tennis championships this coming Friday at Ohio State University.
For a town that is possibly looking for some good news, join me in wishing Reese all the best as he plays tennis on the biggest stage in the state this Friday as this is a very rare feat in these parts.
Also in writing about that past couple weeks, all the Highland County baseball and softball teams have been eliminated from postseason play, but the county had three district runners-up with the Fairfield Lady Lions, Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs and Whiteoak Wildcats all reaching a district final game.
I also can't forget about the track and field runners, as we had many reach the regional level this coming week … so best of luck to all those runners as they are one step away from competing at the state level, but getting to the regional round is in fact a huge honor and achievement as well. (I wish I could run fast, but I chose the road of the cookie a long time ago).
Well, enough rambling, I have a lot to get to.
• No more baseball and softball
When the season started, I was still feeling the effects of a long winter season, but after covering a couple games, along with the start of the MLB season, I was at it full force, and this postseason was one of the better postseasons in recent memory with sectional and/or district softball wins from Whiteoak, Fairfield and McClain along with baseball sectional and/or district wins by Fairfield, Whiteoak, McClain, Hillsboro and Lynchburg-Clay.
One of the great tournament runs came from the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats softball team as they went 2-1 in the tournament, winning two sectional games for a sectional title after winning four games all regular season. I didn't get to see the postseason games in person, but we did have a game article on all three of the games, and I had email correspondences from coach Bret Malone, and just from the emails and text messages, I could get the feel of the enthusiasm they were having in that run.
In those games, WHS freshman Kiley Sosby totaled 39 strikeouts in three games. (Maybe that should have been a stat of the week.)
The best finish of a tournament game came in Greenfield with the McClain Lady Tigers winning 2-1 over the Washington Lady Blue Lions. Both runs came in the bottom of the seventh on errors, and I can't recall a game ever ending like that, especially in a tournament game. Very fun atmosphere to be in attendance.
I'll talk more about the postseason later in the column, with many stats and moments that stood out to me.
• Hillsboro and the state tournament
This school year has been one of the better years for HHS athletics, especially at the state level with seven individuals reaching the state level with Collin Rothwell starting the streak when he made it to the cross-country championships; the "Fab Five" group of wrestlers in the winter in the state wrestling tournament; and now with Leibreich in the tennis.
There could be more added to the list depending on the outcome of the the regional track and field championships this weekend.
So congratulations to Hillsboro High School and all their accomplishments this school year.
• Various stats and info from the softball and baseball postseason
If you read this column, you know I like a good stat now and then, and during football season, I like to keep everyone informed on what Kansas football coach Charlie Weis is up to.
With the baseball and softball tournaments complete for Highland County teams, here are some stats and tidbits of info that caught my attention.
- I've already mentioned the strikeout total for Kiley Sosby this postseason in three games, but did you realize in the sectional final game, she struck out 17 of 25 batters faced?
- Whiteoak junior pitcher Gage Carraher had 28 strikeouts this postseason in two starts and a relief appearance, which totaled 15 1-3 innings.
- This is a fun tidbit of info I was told … For Fairfield softball, the pitcher-catcher battery of Lauren Larrick (pitcher) and Whitney Hanenkrat (catcher) consisted of the homecoming queen pitching to the prom queen. (By the way … the pitcher and catcher were one of, if not the most, successful duos in FHS softball history).
- WHS was one win short of tying their single-season win total. This '12 group finished with a 20-8 overall record. The school record for wins in a year is 21.
- McClain's Cierra Landrum won 20 games this season and had the quietest no-hit bid in the history of softball in the sectional final. With MHS struggling at the plate and all eyes on that, Landrum took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, where she eventually finished the game with a 1-hitter.
- The Hillsboro baseball team won their first sectional title since '08 with a 6-2 win on May 10 over the Washington Blue Lions.
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- The LC baseball team played in their first district round game since 1997 this past weekend.
- One play that stands out is a perfectly placed safety squeeze by Valley's Adam Arnett in the bottom of the fifth. I and a fellow sports editor colleague have been waiting all season to see a safety squeeze perfected like that.
• Thoughts on non-high school sports and other things
- I can't wait to watch the Thunder-Spurs Western Conference Finals. It could be one of those series that many talk about for years to come.
- The best mustache in all of sports, Stan Van Gundy was fired by the Orlando Magic on Tuesday … their loss.
- The Reds are starting to look like the Reds we thought they could be … hope it holds up.
- Kerry Wood retired this past weekend … not a fan of any the teams he played on, but he could have been one of the greats if not for injuries.
- This is the time of year I read a lot of books … any suggestions for sports or history?
- The new format of the NASCAR All-Star race was awful … it needs to go back to the way it was … too much change isn't a good thing.
- This coming Sunday is a racing fan's dream …. The Indianapolis 500 followed by the Charlotte 600 for NASCAR. Can't wait.
- So, anyone else excited for a four-team college football playoff in '14? I hope this happens.
- Don't know what to think of "Men in Black 3" … I like Will Smith and I've seen the other two, so I'll give the third one a shot.
- I'm already sick and tired of the presidential campaigns, and it's only May.
- Saw the teaser trailer for "Anchorman 2" … it won't be released until late 2013 I believe, but it should be worth the wait … "NEWS TEAM, ASSEMBLE!"
- One last high school sports thought … I read a press release how there is will be no shot clock in the near future in Ohio high school basketball. I think it would take the slow out of the game, but I just want it to be like all other forms of basketball. Not many agree with my viewpoint as I had a column on the topic a couple years ago. What about you … Do you want a shot clock in high school basketball? Why or why not? Just curious.
• Stat of the Week
This stands out … Gage Carraher finished the season with 111 strikeouts, with an 8-2 overall record. He set the single-season WHS school record in strikeouts. In all but one start this year, Carraher totaled 10-plus strikeouts.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Whiteoak track and field team member Clarissa Johnson was the only athlete in Division III to advance to the regionals in four different individual events. Her finishes were third in the 100-meter dash (13.49), second in the 300m hurdles (49.54), second in the 200m dash (27.32) and fourth in the long jump (14-3). She scored 27 points.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
FHS senior Lauren Larrick graduates holding almost every pitching record in school history, except season strikeouts. Larrick ended her high school career with 58 wins, 26 shutouts, one perfect game, four no-hitters and six one-hitters. She totaled a career ERA of 1.45 with 672 strikeouts. In tournament games, Larrick was 9-3-1 in her four-year career, including seven shutouts.
• (A fourth) Stat of the Week
In 20 combined postseason games (baseball and softball), Highland County baseball and softball teams combined to score 108 runs.
• Quote of the Week
"I know there is a saying where there is 'no crying in baseball,' but walking out to talk to my team after the game, I was getting a bit emotional. Being in Division III, with the size of the schools and their numbers, it's rare to get a win like this." — Garyn Waits, Lynchburg-Clay baseball coach following the Mustangs' 6-0 district semifinal win over Alexander High School.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"My wish for this team is to just enjoy the ride and to appreciate the little things. I want them to enjoy the friendships and camaraderie we have built between us the last three months." — Chris Veidt, Whiteoak head baseball coach said in a preview of their district final game.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"This loss really stings, since it means this is the last time I get to write this lineup down. We have nine great seniors, and saying goodbye to them is tough. Unfortunately, baseball is a game that will break your heart, but it's a game that can give you some of the highest points of your life … (Tuesday) it broke our heart, but our guys will bounce back." — Tim Hunt, Hillsboro baseball head coach said following the Indians' district semifinal loss to Gallia Academy.
• One last item of business
Is there a better place to watch a baseball game in this area than VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe? I've watched baseball games all over the country, and I swear VA Memorial has one of the best atmospheres around when it come to just enjoying a baseball game. I love the facility, and the staff that run the stadium and tournaments are top-notch. They do a wonderful job at the stadium, and I just want to thank them for all their hospitality this past week or so.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.