But like a lot of teams, the defense is head of the offense to start the season. The Highlands Bluebirds recorded 10 hits to go with excellent pitching and error-free defense on their way to a 12-0 victory over the host Walton-Verona Bearcats (1-1) to open the season Wednesday.
None of those 10 hits went for extra bases. Senior Kyle Rust led Highlands going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. No one else had more than one hit. Highlands scored three runs in the first, fourth, fifth and seventh innings. Highlands left 12 runners on base compared to five for Walton-Verona.
But Highlands stole 10 bases, drew eight walks and took advantage of four Bearcat errors. Drew Rom and Grant Summers also stole two bases with Spencer Dee walking twice. Senior Ethan Doty led Highlands with two runs batted in.
"This shows we're ready," Rom said. "We'll be able to compete with these tough teams we have coming up. Our team is a tight-knit group, which is why we'll hopefully be successful this year."
Three Highlands pitchers combined for a one-hitter and just two walks. Doty (1-0) started and struck out five batters. Rom throw the fourth and fifth innings striking out six and sophomore Grady Cramer threw the final two innings striking out four.
"We were pleased with how our guys handled some difficult conditions," said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. "We're going to work on our approach at the plate to have a more aggressive mindset, but that is why we play so many games to work on those things prior to the regional tournament. Our pitchers threw well and catchers called a great game. If we're able to pitch and play defense, we really like our chances to compete on a daily basis."
Highlands takes on Boone County (0-1) on Friday at Thomas More College. The game starts at 5:30 p.m.
HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL (12) AT WALTON VERONA (0) HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOO AB R H BI WALTON VERONA AB R H BI Kyle Rust 3 2 2 0 Harris 3 0 1 0 Bryce Ziegler 1 1 1 1 Foley 2 0 0 0 Sam Hennigan 3 1 0 0 Tilley 2 0 0 0 Carson Fitters 0 1 0 1 Wagner 3 0 0 0 Trey Bowden 3 1 1 0 Moran 2 0 0 0 Ryan Adkins 2 0 0 0 Kopser 2 0 0 0 Kyle Finfrock 2 0 0 1 Brauer 1 0 0 0 Jackson Recht 2 1 1 1 Moffett 2 0 0 0 Drew Rom 2 1 1 0 Czechorski 1 0 0 0 Evan Lewin 1 0 0 0 Perry 3 0 0 0 Grady Cramer 1 0 1 1 Clines 1 0 0 0 Ethan Doty 3 0 1 2 Joe Steiden 2 0 0 0 Ethan Kavanagh 0 0 0 0 Hunter Dreves 1 0 0 0 Grant Summers 2 1 1 0 Brady Gosney 2 1 1 0 Spencer Dee 0 0 0 1 Bradley Greene 1 1 0 0 Cooper Schwalbach 2 1 0 0 TOTALS 33 12 10 8 TOTALS 22 0 1 0 HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL 300 330 3 -- 12 WALTON VERONA 000 000 0 -- 0 LOB--HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL 12, WALTON VERONA 5. ERR-- Perry, Alford, Wagner, Moffett. HBP--Ethan Kavanagh, Grant Summers, Cooper Schwalbach, Carson Fitters, Tilley, Clines. SB--Bradley Greene, Ethan Kavanagh, Grant Summers (2), Kyle Rust (2), Trey Bowden, Spencer Dee, Drew Rom (2). HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL IP H R ER BB SO HR Ethan Doty (W) 3.00 1 0 0 0 5 0 Drew Rom 2.00 0 0 0 1 6 0 Grady Cramer 2.00 0 0 0 1 4 0 WALTON VERONA Harris (L) 3.00 3 3 3 3 5 0 Bertke 1.00 3 6 3 2 0 0 Moran 2.33 2 3 3 2 4 0 Clines 0.67 2 0 0 1 1 0 PB--Kyle Rust, Alford. WP-- Bertke (2), Moran (2). BALK-- Moran. SO--Bradley Greene, Joe Steiden (2), Grant Summers, Ryan Adkins, Trey Bowden, Jackson Recht, Drew Rom, Sam Hennigan, Hunter Dreves, Tilley, Perry (3), Brauer, Wagner (3), Clines, Foley (2), Moffett (2), Kopser, Czechorski. BB--Bradley Greene, Bryce Ziegler, Kyle Finfrock, Spencer Dee (2), Carson Fitters, Drew Rom, Brady Gosney, Foley, Moran.
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