Clermont Northeastern is led by their junior pitcher Emily Anderson. She had 66 K’s in the first six games.

The Clermont Northeastern Lady Rockets have blasted off to start the 2012 season, winning their first seven games by an amazing margin of 71-3. Obviously, the Lady Rockets are 7-0 in those games and looking to build upon their quick start.

 

Returning seven starters from last year’s Southern Buckeye Conference championship team, coach Bill Goldfuss is excited about the prospects that his team has for the remainder of the year.

“Our pitcher is back and our infield is playing together for the third straight year,” the coach said. “We’re looking to improve on last year’s regional appearance and our seven returning starters are looking for a third straight league title.”

The Lady Rockets are led by a slew of juniors and a pair of seniors as well as some serious talent from some underclassmen.

Emily Anderson, the Lady Rockets junior pitcher, is a main reason for the Lady Rockets’ early success. Through her first six games, Anderson has struck out 66 batters.

Also helping out CNE’s cause is their staut offensive lineup led by McKena Miller, Chelsae Osborn, Raelyn Reynolds, Jordan McGowan and Allison Gilkerson.

Anderson also does her part from the plate, giving the Lady Rockets a virtual Murderers’ Row when they step to the plate.

The Lady Rockets’ had by far their best offensive output on Monday, March 26 when they dispatched of Bethel-Tate 23-0 in five innings.

Behind Anderson’s 11 strikeouts, the Lady Rockets had McKena Miller go 4-6 from the plate with two triples, a double, four runs scored and two runs batted in. Anderson helped her own cause by going 3-5 with two doubles, a triple, four runs scored and four RBI.

Freshman Allison Gilkerson showed her power going 4-5 from the dish with a double and a home run. She also scored three runs and knocked in five.

Clermont had another big win on Wednesday, March 28 when they run-ruled New Richmond 18-0 in five innings.

In that game, Miller went 2-3, Chelsae Osborn went 2-2, Anderson went 2-3 and recorded 13 K’s and Gilkerson went 2-3 with 4 RBI.

Not every game has been a cakewalk for the Lady Rockets. Besides from the two run-rule shortened games against Bethel and New Richmond, CNE has won 7-0 (Edgewood), 6-2 (Franklin), 7-1 (Boone County), 7-2 (Western Brown) and most recently, 3-0 on Monday, April 2 against Amelia.

The Lady Rockets aren’t expecting anything to be handed to them and Coach Goldfuss is sure to keep his team firmly down to earth as they begin on the SBC schedule.

With the firepower that the Lady Rockets have coupled with the stellar pitching that Anderson is providing, there will be few stumbling blocks between Clermont Northeastern and the postseason. The key will be keeping their focus while working towards a third straight league title.

After winning the Southern Buckeye Conference American Division last year, the Lady Rockets made a run into the postseason that was cut short.

CNE bowed out of the state tournament last year in the regional finals following a 3-2 loss to West Liberty-Salem, but they are determined to get back into the state tournament and make a run.

The Lady Rockets’ will be in action on Wednesday, April 4 when they host Goshen and again on Thursday, April 5 when they host Reading.