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By Jay Morrison

Staff Writer

LIBERTY TWP. — If you get a hit off of her pitcher, Lakota East catcher Emily Lafferty is going to remember it.

Of course, if you strikeout, groundout or fly out, she's going to remember that, too.

"Other coaches keep charts on the opposing hitters, but we don't have to do that because Emily is able to remember everything," Thunderhawks coach Steve Castner said of his junior backstop. "She's so smart. She's able to use her experience and read what the batters are doing with their stance and recall what they've done in their previous at bat, down to which pitch they swung at. I don't have to remind her of anything."

That kind of presence behind the plate is invaluable, and it's also a big reason why Lafferty has been selected as the JournalNews Butler County Softball Player of the Year.

In addition to everything she did for the team defensively while earning first team All-Ohio accolades, Lafferty also had a big year the plate, hitting .402 with 24 RBIs, 27 runs scored and a pair of home runs.

But while she takes plenty of pride in those numbers, Lafferty said her greatest sense of accomplishment comes from what she does behind the plate.

"I definitely take more pride in my defense," she said. "I've always been more solid defensively than offensively. I just got my offense going this year."

Lafferty's offense and defense were big reasons why Lakota East went 22-8 and advanced to its first ever regional championship game before ending its season with a loss to Mason.

"We went into the season knowing we were going to be pretty good," Lafferty said. "We got off to rough start, but we played some good teams in beginning of the year and we just had to prove ourselves, and we did. We got hot toward the end of the year, and it was a great ride."

One that Lafferty will, of course, remember.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.