Published: June 23, 2009 11:10 pm      

ALL-AREA SOFTBALL: Riddle, Miller rewarded for impressive seasons

Kentucky Miss Softball winner Amber Riddle and Ashland standout Katelyn Miller form quite a combo as headliners on the 2009 All-Area Softball Team.

Riddle was voted Player of the Year by area coaches on the heels of a fabulous high school career at Rowan County, while Miller received Pitcher of the Year honors after a super sophomore season that included four no-hitters.

Riddle is the state’s all-time home run queen with 55 — No. 2 on the national list. She became the first eastern Kentucky player to receive the state’s coveted Miss Softball award.

Rowan County’s Larry Slone, who shared All-Area Coach of the Year with Ashland’s Dave Miller, called working with Riddle an unbelievable experience.

“As a coach, you are extremely lucky to have a player of that ability, and I will always be thankful for it,’’ said Slone, who also voiced his appreciation for area coaches that supported Riddle for Miss Softball.

Riddle’s success carried over to Kentucky’s East-West All-Star series. She hit a two-run homer in the East’s 13-3 victory over the West seniors.

Asked if competing in the All-Star setting provided special incentive, Riddle flashed her trademark smile.

“Oh yeah,’’ she said. “I just love playing. Really with better people, it makes you concentrate harder.’’

Riddle enjoyed a spectacular senior season, batting .610 with 17 homers and 64 runs batted in.

The All-State selection and Morehead State University signee led Rowan County back to the regional finals after back-to-back regional titles.

For her career, Riddle drove in 259 runs and also broke a state record with 92 doubles.

Miller, meanwhile, provided lights-out pitching in Ashland’s drive to the program’s first regional championship. She struck out more than 200 batters along the way.

“I feel like I matured a lot mentally this year,’’ said Miller, pointing to an April 17 loss to state-ranked Paul Dunbar as a turning point. “I had sort of a meltdown that day. It was something I had to go through to grow more as a pitcher. As the year progressed, I had a lot of situations that I handled better.’’

Mostly, Miller was dominant on the mound. She allowed only 40 hits in 114 innings entering the State Tournament.

Katelyn, also one of the team’s top hitters, trains at the Championship Fastpitch center operated by her father and coach. Dave Miller is understandably proud of her accomplishments.

“I don’t like to say a lot about Katelyn, but after we won the regional that deserved for the dad in me to come out,’’ he said. “I’m very proud. Her success is a tribute to how hard she has worked in the offseason.’’

Dave Miller guided Ashland to a school-record 29 wins with what he considered to be a special group of players.

“It was a unique situation where a team performed at a high level all year,’’ Miller said. “We had a great blend of everything ... hitting, pitching, speed, ability to hit deep, ability to get on base.’’

Miller especially praised the contributions of Ashland’s five senior starters, including All-Area selections Whitney Phillips and Rachel Amburgey.

“That senior group was just incredible,’’ he said. “They did everything we asked with the way they led on the field, and off the field. They were so ready to step up in any situation.’’

Phillips batted a team-high .596 through regional play and also led the Kittens with 65 runs, 59 hits and 24 stolen bases. Likewise, Amburgey provided plenty of offense (.451, 35 extra-base hits) along with strong catching.

Freshman shortstop Kelsee Hammonds joined Ashland teammates Miller, Phillips and Amburgey on the All-Area squad. Hammonds made a huge impact in her first season with the Kittens. The team’s RBI leader carried a .500 batting average and provided pitching depth behind Miller.

Rowan County overcame obstacles to finish 23-18 and reach the regional title game again.

The Lady Vikings graduated five starting seniors, returned little pitching experience and then suffered five injuries to key players early. Ashley Adkins filled the pitching void and went on to earn All-Area honors.

“We went in feeling if she threw strikes, we would be in the game because of our hitting,’’ Slone said. “Anytime you go in with a player like Amber Riddle, you know you’re going to score runs.’’

Kaitlyn Muncy, an East All-Star, also represented Rowan County on the All-Area team.

Boyd County landed four players on the squad — Danielle Rakes (.423, 26 stolen bases), Katie Hunter (.365, 31 runs), pitcher Kayla Caudill (17 wins, 184 strikeouts) and Hannah Stewart (.327).

Russell placed East All-Star selection Kelsey Simpson, pitcher Molly Baldridge and infielder Bryanna Gullett. The trio led the Lady Devils to a 23-10 record.

Teams with two All-Area players included Raceland (Bree Grubb, Jessie Clark) and Lewis County (Trayla Liles, Jessi Marth).

Also voted to the team were Fairview’s Hannah Daniel, East Carter’s Heather Lucas, Greenup County’s Ashley Barlow, West Carter’s Lena Reynolds and Fleming County’s Victoria Sergent.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@

dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.