CHCA's crushing cousins lead Eagles baseball, softball

MASON - A pair of freshman at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy are tearing up local ballfields and getting their names on the college recruiting radar. Caden Crawford and Finley Payne, whose mothers are sisters, have been kissing baseballs and softballs goodbye on spring nights for the Eagles of CHCA.

Caden was called up from junior varsity early in the season and has played first base/designated hitter for Tony Schulz and the baseball team. Finley is pitching and blasting the ball for Diane Barghini's softball Eagles. 

Barb and Roy Payne are the parents of Finley, who is probably good enough to play boys baseball, but softball is her love. They used to live near her mother's house that had a huge yard. It was there that Caden Crawford also played, the son of Barb's sister Becky Crawford.

With the occasional help of Roy Payne who played some baseball, Finley and Caden grew up more like brother and sister than cousins, competing over who threw the hardest, hit the furthest and could field a ball of any size.

"Me, her and her Dad used to play out in the backyard all day," Crawford said.

Now at ages 15 (Caden) and 14 (Finley) the cousins are showing the fruits of their labor. Caden has been one of CHCA's top hitters. He's mainly hitting for now, but can play elsewhere and also pitches for his summer team, the 15U Cincy Flames. 

"Caden's taken his opportunity and run with it, earning everything he's got," Coach Schulz said. "It's been good for us. We've got a pretty good freshman class. We've got a couple other freshman that have got some varsity time this year which hasn't happened a ton in this program. Caden's done a fantastic job making the adjustment."

For those watching just one round of infield for CHCA softball, it's easy to pick out which girl is Finley Payne. A player for the Ohio Hawks in summer, she's been dominant in her first year with the Eagles and leads most of the Miami Valley Conference in many statistical categories (average, home runs, runs batted in, ERA, wins, strikeouts and stolen bases).

"Once I hit two in one game which was pretty awesome," Payne said of her home run prowess. "I look to hit the ball hard and if it goes, it goes. It's just the best feeling in the world."

Crawford has also popped a pair over the wall in one game, doing it against Lockland. His strategy is to jump on the first fastball. His swing success is relatively simple. 

"Confidence," he quickly replied. "Just have confidence. I have good friends that are welcoming on varsity. I've got some good friends who push me to do my best."

Crawford and Payne came up through CHCA elementary and junior high. Payne first asked Coach Barghini if she could play softball in fifth grade. Crawford used to watch accomplished CHCA pitchers Cam Varga (former Tampa Bay draftee) and Griffan Smith (Ohio State).

"She's told me stories of growing up and being with Caden and how competitive they are with each other," Coach Barghini said of Payne. "She's very special. Everybody respects her on the team. They didn't make her earn that spot. She comes in with the right attitude.

Even on a recent off night for CHCA baseball, Caden Crawford and family came to watch Finley and the Eagles softball crew at Snider Field. Long after the game was over and dusk was setting in, the only two left on the field were Payne and Crawford, playing like they did as kids in grandma's back ball orchard. Both took turns flipping a ball for the other to send into orbit. 

At most schools and in most leagues, it is rare for freshmen to have major impact on a squad. Though she considers her main position shortstop, Payne's pitching numbers are dominating and should only get better.

Both Payne and Crawford are also multi-sport athletes, so you may see them in purple and black for CHCA in other events in coming seasons. The cousins have been asked to come out for basketball and Payne has also dabbled in tennis and lacrosse.

For both, anything involving hand-eye coordination is related.