NewCath drops tough 2-0 decision to Conner

Allen Ramsey Photo. NewCath freshman Katherine Schreiber (right) tries to slide in safely to third base while Conner's Brooke Maines (left) applies the tag. Schreiber was out on the play. The Thoroughbreds lost 2-0 to Conner.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – The visitors needed to play a near-flawless game defensively to end the streak.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds softball team did that Monday making just one error in the 9th Region quarterfinals against the Conner Lady Cougars. NewCath even outhit Conner, 6-1.

But that one hit and one error came in the same inning and Conner capitalized for a 2-0 win. The game took place at Northern Kentucky University.

“We’ve struggled throughout the year against slower pitchers,” said Kristin Koors, Conner Head Coach. “We talked about staying focused at the plate and coming up with the big hit when you need to and relying on your teammates. We got the one big hit when it mattered.”

NewCath (18-11) lost in the region quarterfinals for the second straight year while Conner (20-15) advanced. The Lady Cougars are a win away from their eighth straight appearance in the region title game and ninth in the past 10 years with their lone region championship coming in 2009.

NewCath freshman pitcher Haley Meyers pitched another stellar game. She struck out nine and walked just two. The Conner runs were unearned. Meyers also retired the side in four innings.

“(Meyers) has grown up the last couple weeks,” said Denny Barnes, NewCath Head Coach. “The catcher (Kristen Schriber), myself and everyone else had to get in there and get her to take another step and she’s done that. We’re happy with her now. A couple weeks ago, she was somewhat on the fence. But she has some gumption (courage) in there. That’s what she needed.”

Conner scored those runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jenna Hicks walked before Brooke Maines laid down a bunt. She reached first when NewCath third baseman Loren Zimmerman grabbed the ball, but it came out allowing Maines to beat the throw to first.

“The main objective is to get one out somehow,” Barnes said. “You want to get the lead runner, but that is hard to do on a bunt so you want that out at first base. (Zimmerman) usually does a good job on bunts so it’s hard to get too upset with her. She is one of my best fielders. Kids are not going to be perfect. If we have one error every game, I’ll take it.”

Meyers nearly wiggled out of the inning. She struck out Sydney Hines before Elizabeth Sims bunted Hicks and Maines over. Kayla Ellis then doubled to the left center gap to score Hicks and Maines before Alexia Snelbaker flied out to right.

NewCath did not have any extra-base hits offensively. But the Thoroughbreds did put the leadoff runners on base in each of the first five innings. Michaela Ware led NewCath going 2-for-3.

“Defensively, we’ve stepped up our game over the past week or two,” Koors said. “We’ve been playing smart getting the lead runner and just making sure we keep the ball on the infield and making the plays there.”

NewCath left runners on second in the first, second, fourth and sixth innings but could not advance anyone to third. The best chance came in the third. Meyers led off the third with a single and Katherine Schreiber ran for her. Ware laid down a bunt and beat out the throw to third. But Katherine Schreiber tried to make it to third and was thrown out.

“We hadn’t got (the timely hitting),” Barnes said. “But, we’re closing the gap on them.”

The lack of clutch hitting and untimely errors hurt NewCath in the 36th District championship loss to Highlands. The Ladybirds scored two runs following the two NewCath errors in the 2-1 win.

Sims also threw a complete game for Conner. The Birmingham Southern commit struck out six and walked one.

NewCath graduates two seniors from this team that won the All “A” 9th Region Tournament. They are Molly Mertle and Taylor Burkart. Mertle played right field and Burkart in left in addition to some pitching. The two played on two district championship teams.

“They just need to keep their heads up, come back and do well,” Mertle said. “I think we’ll do well next year.”

Like Barnes, Burkhart credited the Campbell County Youth Softball program for helping develop the Thoroughbreds. Barnes said about 700 girls play in it now.

“They’re more experienced in the game,” Burkart said. “We’ve worked hard to get to where we’re at.”

The Thoroughbreds return six juniors, one sophomore and eight freshmen. The juniors are Casey Kohls, Morgan Martini, Sarah Neace, Kristen Schrieber, Ware and Zimmerman. The one sophomore ins Amber Gries.