Saturday Roundup

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team matched last year’s win total with a 12-0 five-inning run-ruling of the Beechwood Lady Tigers on Saturday.

Highlands (10-5) scored five runs in each of the first and fourth innings before scoring two more in the fifth. The Bluebirds outhit the Lady Tigers, 15-3 in the error-free contest.

The Bluebirds saw five players record two or more hits. Haley Coffey led the way going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Whitney Quillen and Ashley Grosser also finished 3-for-4. Quillen had a double and two runs scored with Grosser doubling and tripling on her way to two RBI and two runs scored.

Freshman Shelby Graybill, the state’s leading hitter, went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Both her hits were doubles. Payton Leighty also went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored for Highlands.

The Bluebirds also recorded two triples off the bats of Bailey Spencer and Brennah Dutcher and had three stolen bases. After Grosser, Graybill and Dutcher recorded thefts.

Spencer turned in another solid outing. She struck out six and walked none in five innings.

Highlands returns to action Monday at Simon Kenton. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Baseball:

Highlands 10, Boone County 5:

Cincinnati Anderson 3, Highlands 0:

The Bluebirds (13-12) split their games at Boone County on Saturday.

Highlands beat the Rebels for the second time this season to open the day. They outhit the hosts, 13-10 as Todd Ramey and Jake Whitford hit home runs.

Highlands scored four in the first inning then put the game away with four in the seventh. The Rebels cut the advantage to 4-3 with two in the third.

Ben Vermeil started the game and Jake Liggett finished.

Things did not go as well in the second game against the Redskins. They were shut out for the first time this year.

Highlands travels to Bishop Brossart on Monday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic 1, Whitefield Academy 0:

Newport Central Catholic 8, Muhlenberg County 0:

The Thoroughbreds snapped a three-game losing streak with two wins Saturday in the Louisville Invitational Tournament.

In the first game against the Whitefield Academy Wildcats out of Louisville, the Wildcats outhit the Thoroughbreds, 5-4. The lone run of the game came in the fourth in the form of a Connor Bartels home run.

Jake Yeager pitched the first four innings to pick up the win for NewCath. Tommy Donnelly pitched the next three to record the save striking out three.

The Thoroughbreds finished the day dominating the Mustangs from western Kentucky. NewCath won the hitting battle, 10-1 as Colin DuPont and Nick Seibert combined for the one-hitter striking out a combined six.

The Thoroughbreds led 2-0 after two innings. But they scored three in the third and another three in the fourth to put the game away.

DuPont, Alex Grau, Pete Collopy and Josh Cain led NewCath with two hits each. Cain homered and doubled on his way to three RBI and two runs scored. DuPont and Zach Pangallo added doubles.

NewCath takes on Lloyd Memorial at 5:15 p.m. Monday.