Thursday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team rallied for a 9th Region road win Thursday.

Highlands (13-8) fell behind 4-0 after three innings. But the Bluebirds erased it in a 7-4 win over the host Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts.

Highlands outhit Lloyd Memorial, 8-3. Kenny Ball, Alex Veneman and Ben Vermeil recorded two hits each for the Bluebirds. Veneman tripled with Ball and Vermeil recording doubles. Veneman and Vermeil recorded two runs batted in each and Jake Whitford scored three runs.

Joseph Martin took over on the mound for Highlands in the third inning and recorded the win. He struck out 10, walked one and allowed just one Juggernaut hit.

Highlands plays  in the Louisville Invitational on Saturday. The Bluebirds battle Central Hardin at 11 a.m. and defending state champion Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park at 1:15 p.m.

Softball:

Newport Central Catholic 11, Lloyd Memorial 1:

The Thoroughbreds (11-3) won their eighth straight on the road Thursday with another run-ruling.

NewCath freshman pitcher Haley Meyers threw her third no-hitter of the year striking out seven of the first nine batters on the way to nine for the day. The Thoroughbreds also cashed in on six Lloyd errors.

The Thoroughbreds pounded out nine hits in the win and recorded just one error. Senior shortstop Taylor Burkart went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in and Loren Zimmerman went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Kristen Schreiber and Casey Kohls added RBI doubles for the Thoroughbreds.

NewCath plays in the All “A” State Tournament in Owensboro on Saturday. The Thoroughbreds open with Livingston Central at 12:30 p.m.