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The softball program at Clay is recognized statewide — similar to what the
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| Eryn Simon |
baseball program established decades ago.
Let’s face it — Clay is a good school for diamond sports.
It was evident when Owens Community College coach Duane Latham stopped by the high school to help the softball players celebrate its defense of a City League championship and two seniors that will be playing for the Express next spring.
“It’s not only the quality of you guys as individuals, but the character of you guys compared to other programs that stand out,” Latham told the Clay girls, who were gathered for cake and soft drinks.
“I’m telling you it’s day and night and that’s based on the quality of the program that you guys display. You guys are A-plus in my book,” Latham continued.
“When we go out there looking, these are some of the things we look forward to in finding who will play — it’s not just what you do on the playing field. Success isn’t always represented in wins or losses but how you represent yourselves.”
Latham knows that Clay, as well as the other teams on this side of town, are dominant forces on the diamond. As a result, Clay softball coach Brenda Radabaugh, the CL Coach of the Year, is garnering another award this season with the Alan Miller Jewelers All-Press Coach of the Year Award.
Latham is trying to harvest that local talent to make Owens a national junior college power.
“There’s a lot of good softball in Northwest Ohio and until the time that we are
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| Kasey Graham |
competitive on a national level, I’ll stick to my local guys around here,” Latham said.
This spring, Owens lost to nationally-ranked No. 4 Muskegon CC in the regional tournament, which went on to win the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series title.
“That goes to show you how close we are to getting to nationals and returning and I think there are two girls who can make a difference. I’ve never heard a bad word about either of you,” Latham said.
Latham has Alan Miller Jewelers Co-Player of the Year Kasey Graham and second team infielder Hallie Thompson to help improve on that next year.
Of course, despite what Latham says, success at Clay is represented by wins and losses. The Eagles finished the season 24-5 and early in the season were ranked No. 1 in the state. At least four 2010 seniors are heading to the college level, and perhaps more.
Graham, the City League Pitcher of the Year, was 15-3 on the mound with a 1.19 ERA in 135.1 innings pitched. She gave up 23 earned runs, allowed 95 hits and 32 runs, and struck out 139.
Graham is joined as Press Co-Player of the Year Eryn Simon, the City League Player of the Year. Simon ended the season with a .425 batting average, including eight doubles, four triples, two home runs, 34 RBI and was a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen bases.
Teammates joining Graham and Simon on the All-Press first team are outfielder Kim Crawford, outfielder Danielle Holmes, and catcher Sara Stibaner.
Crawford, a sophomore, batted .500 with 53 hits in 106 at bats, along with three doubles, six triples, 34 runs scored, a .643 slugging percentage, .535 on base percentage, and she was 26-for-27 in stolen bases. Radabaugh says her speed helped her lead the team in steals and runs scored. Stibaner batted .330 with six doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 34 RBI.
Holmes, batted .436 (41-for-94) with 41 hits, 28 runs, five doubles, three triples, 22 RBI, .553 slugging, .477 on-base, and stole 9-of-12 bases. Stibaner batted .330 (32-of-97) with 32 hits, 21 runs, six doubles, one triple, three home runs, 34 RBI, .505 slugging, .398 on base, and she stole three bases in three attempts.
You’ve got to include the Suburban Lakes League when you consider Latham’s
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| Brenda Radabaugh |
recruiting grounds. The SLL is consistently well over .500 in games against non-league opponents season after season — in both baseball and softball.
There are six SLL players on the All-Press first team — Eastwood first baseman Jimmi Gangwer (.368 BA, 16 runs, 2 HR, 25 RBI), Lake second baseman Adrienne Lowe (.409 BA, 19 runs, six RBI, 29 SB), Eastwood shortstop Katie Dewyre (.470 BA, 47 hits, 23 runs, 1 HR, 8 RBI), Genoa outfielder Harlee Hummel (.370 BA, .464 OBP, 26 runs, 19 RBI, 9 doubles, one triple), Lake outfielder Rachel Duncan (.342, 13 runs, 7 RBI, 7 SB), and Eastwood pitcher Christine Foster (1.16 ERA, 120.2 IP, 20 ER, 13-4, 131 strikeouts).
From the Toledo Area Athletic Conference are Cardinal Stritch third baseman Brianna Wlodarz (.333 BA, 18 runs, 24 RBI), Stritch outfielder Amanda Sinay (.506 BA, 40 hits, 20 runs, 9 RBI, 27 SB), and Northwood third baseman Sammie Brisbin (.381 BA, 24 hits, 18 runs, 21 RBI, 9 SB). From the Sandusky Bay Conference is Oak Harbor shortstop Julie Konieczny.
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