Monday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team recorded a huge 6-4 win in Alexandria on Monday over the 2012 state semifinalist Bishop Brossart Mustangs on Monday.

Highlands scored three in the first and another in the second to go up 4-0 and held off Bishop Brossart. The Bluebirds moved to 14-12.

Jake Whitford, Gabe Schultz, Quentin Murray and Evan Allen all had two hits each for Highlands. Murray had three runs batted in and Schultz two on two infield singles with Whitford and Todd Ramey both recording doubles.

“We tend to score runs early then go on cruise control,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands head coach. “We kept the pressure on them. We knew they’d score some runs.”

Joey Cochran pitched the first four innings to pick up the win moving to 5-1 on the year. Jake Liggett pitched the next three to record his fourth save of the year.

Highlands outhit Bishop Brossart, 12-7 and took advantage of three Mustang errors. Tanner Norton and Teddy MacDonald led the Mustangs each going 2-for-4 with doubles and Clay Kramer went 2-for-3.

Highlands hopes to wrap up the top seed in the 36th District Tournament at Bellevue on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Lloyd Memorial 5, Newport Central Catholic 4:

The Thoroughbreds (13-10) dropped a close one to the Juggernauts on Monday.

They outhit the Juggernauts, 9-8. Alex Grau, Zach Pangallo and Kevin Hoffstedder all banged out two hits each for NewCath. Pangallo doubled and scored twice with Hoffstedder and Dom Pangallo adding two-baggers.

Tommy Donnelly pitched six innings for the Thoroughbreds. Mitch Pangallo came on and pitched in the seventh.

NewCath takes on Covington Catholic in Park Hills at 5 p.m. today.

Softball:

Newport Central Catholic 10, Ludlow 9:

The Thoroughbreds (10-10) edged the Panthers on Monday in a tight contest.

NewCath outhit Ludlow, 16-6. Ludlow stayed in the game taking advantage of six Thoroughbred errors.

Michaela Ware, Christine Enzweiler, Morgan Martini and Casey Kohls all recorded three hits each for NewCath. Martini and Kohls recorded two RBIs each. Taylor Burkart followed going 2-for-5 with two RBI.

Sarah Neace pitched five strong innings for NewCath. She struck out six and walked five. Haley Meyers pitched the final two innings to pick up the win moving to 2-3 on the year with two strikeouts.

The Thoroughbreds play host to Newport at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Cancellation:

Highlands (10-5) was to travel to Simon Kenton for a 5:30 p.m. contest Monday. But the game was rained out.

The Bluebirds travel to Bishop Brossart tonight. Game time is 5:30 p.m.