high school softball
Big Blue back in the thick of it
After a recent slump, Hamilton's players were gearing up for the postseason; next week they could be regular-season champions
Friday, May 09, 2008
HAMILTON — It was just nine days ago when the Hamilton High softball team fell three games behind Greater Miami Conference-leading Colerain with just three to play.
Big Blue now is one win away from clinching at least a share of its third league championship in the last seven years.
Extras
"When we got shut out against Fairfield, we were three games back and things weren't looking so good," HHS coach Steve Heckman said, referring to a 3-0 setback on April 30 that was his team's third loss in a four-game span.
"We even said at that point that it was time to try to get on a roll for the tournament and take care of things we needed to do to get back on track," Heckman continued. "We did that, but we also got some help along the way."
Colerain lost back-to-back games to Mason (2-0) and Middletown (2-1) earlier this week to leave the door open for Big Blue, whose final regular season game just happens to be against the Cardinals.
The two teams will square off at 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, after two previous attempts to play the game (Friday, May 2, and Thursday, May 8) were postponed by rain.
"Coming back from beyond hope and having a chance to get the title is great for our girls," Heckman said. "It would be a great momentum builder. We've played really well the last couple of games against Lakota East and Mason, and that's what you try to do this time of year, find some consistency and a little bit of excitement."
If Hamilton can beat Colerain, it will clinch at least a share of the GMC title. The Cardinals still have to complete a suspended game against Lakota West that is tied 0-0 in the seventh inning. Should Colerain lose to HHS and West, Big Blue would win the title outright.
Hamilton also won outright GMC championships under Heckman in 2002 and 2005.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.
