Dixie Heights beats NCC in extra innings

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds softball team could not come up with key plays in Tuesday’s back-and-forth 9th Region quarterfinal contest at Northern Kentucky University.

The Thoroughbreds (15-14) took a two-run lead in the top of the eighth. But they wound up surrendering three in the bottom of the inning in a 6-5 season-ending loss to the Dixie Heights Lady Colonels (14-14).

Loren Zimmerman recorded a two-run triple in the eighth to give the Thoroughbreds the lead. They’d trailed 3-2 entering the top of the seventh. But Christina Enzweiler hit a game-tying single to left.

Dixie Heights tied the game in the eighth when Megan Estenfelder singled with two outs and the bases loaded. Then Mary Beth Odom hit one hard to left for the game-winner.

Dixie Heights scored twice in the first inning before NewCath came back and tied it. Enzweiler singled and advanced to second on an error before scoring on another Lady Colonel error. Molly Mertle then scored on an error to tie the game.

Dixie Heights outhit NewCath, 11-10 but committed four errors to two for the Thoroughbreds. Michaela Ware led the Thoroughbreds going 3-for-5 with Taylor Burkart and Enzweiler both recording two hits each. Burkart had a sacrifice and Enzweiler a run batted in.

Erin Snyder and Julie Morehead led Dixie Heights with three hits each. Morehead and Estenfelder recorded two runs batted in each.

Sarah Neace pitched all eight innings in the loss for NewCath. She struck out four and allowed just three walks.

Courtney Garrett pitched all eight innings for Dixie Heights. She struck out seven and walked two.

The Thoroughbreds graduate just one player off this year’s 36th District championship team. That is Enzweiler.