Highlands softball beats NCC; baseball beats Boone County

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team downed the rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds in a crucial 36th District game on Tuesday.

Highlands (5-3) scored two runs in the top of the sixth to take the win. NewCath (3-5) won all four meetings last year on its way to the district championship.

NewCath outhit Highlands, 9-8, but the Bluebirds recorded more extra-base hits. Shelby Graybill led the way going 3-for-4 with two triples, a run batted in and a stolen base. KC Broering added a double with Kendall Turner and Payton Leighty also making triples. Leighty also had a stolen base.

Bailey Spencer picked up the pitching win for Highlands. She struck out four in the complete game.

Michaela Ware and Casey Kohls led NewCath at the plate. Ware finished 3-for-4 with a run scored and Kohls finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and stolen base. Morgan Martin added a stolen base for the Thoroughbreds.

Sarah Neace pitched a complete game in the loss for NewCath. She struck out two.

Both teams return to action Thursday. Highlands plays host to Newport at 5:30 p.m. and NewCath travels to Dayton at 5 p.m.

Baseball:

Highlands 2, Boone County 0:

The Bluebirds (9-8) moved to 3-1 in 9th Region action with a shutout of the visiting Rebels on Tuesday.

Ben Vermeil moved to 2-0 with the pitching win. He threw six innings before Jake Liggett took over and recorded his third save of the season.

Quentin Murray went 1-for-2 with a double, run batted in and run scored. Joseph Martin followed going 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Highlands continues action today at St. Henry. Game time is 5 p.m.