Highlands softball blasts Dayton, 15-0

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – It is just a matter of putting solid offense and defense together consistently for the Highlands Bluebirds softball team.

When the Bluebirds do that, chances of winning dramatically increase. In the case of Tuesday’s game, it let them put the game away early in a 15-0 three-inning run-ruling of the Dayton Lady Devils in the 36th District semifinals at Northern Kentucky University.

“We’re continuing our progression toward finishing games,” said Rob Coffey, Highlands head coach. “We took a little dip in the middle of the season. We’re back on the momentum high. We’re confident and feel like we’re playing pretty decent. It’s starting to come together. The coaching staff is really excited about that.”

Defensively, Bailey Spencer threw a no-hitter striking out two and the defense did not make any errors behind her. Dayton’s lone base runner came in the second inning when Alicia Hornsby walked.

On the other side, top-seeded Highlands constantly hit the ball into open parts of the field going 14-of-22 for a .636 average against Dayton pitchers Aubry Donelan and Kilee Donelan. Every slot in the order scored once for Highlands except for the second one.

The Bluebirds also took advantage of two Dayton errors. The Bluebirds scored eight in the first before adding four in the second and three in the third.

Haley Coffey and Whitney Quillen played for the Highlands district championship basketball team that struggled in the title game against Newport in the first quarter before pulling away. Haley Coffey and Quillen helped make sure that did not happen in this game.

“We had to come to this park knowing we’re going to win, but with class,” Haley Coffey said. “We can’t laugh in the dugout among other things. We just need to get the job done. With the right attitude, we should be good.”

Brennah Dutcher led Highlands at the plate going 3-for-3 two runs batted in and a run scored. Whitney Quillen, Shelby Graybill and Ashley Grosser all added two hits each. Quillen had a grand slam inside the park home run in the second. Turner added a triple and Spencer doubled. Quillen led everyone with five RBI and K.C. Broering scored a game-high three runs.

Highlands had to make some adjustments at the plate. The speeds were slower than what they’d seen against teams like Ryle and Notre Dame.

“You just have to step up in the box and wait for the ball,” Broering said. “That’s something we’ve struggled with throughout the season, but we’re doing a lot better now.”

The Bluebirds (17-10) take on Newport Central Catholic (14-13) for the district championship on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.

“(Tuesday) starts a whole new season,” Coach Coffey said. “Whether you hit good or bad, you have to flush it away. We know we’re a darkhorse to go to state. But anything can happen in a one-game matchup.”

Highlands Baseball to battle Newport:

The top-seeded Bluebirds (17-17) will take on Newport at 5 p.m. at Morscher Field in the 36th District semifinals today. Newport beat Dayton, 9-0 Tuesday.

The winner faces host Newport Central Catholic (20-12) at the same time on Thursday.