Monday Sports Briefs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Kendall Turner takes a swing in Friday's game against Campbell County. The Ladybirds are 6-4 after going 3-2 in the Uncle Pete Noll Tournament.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The annual trip south started off well for the Blue and White.

The Highlands Bluebirds edged Painesville (Ohio) Riverside located east of Cleveland, 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh. Mitch Gesenhues hit a fly ball to left. It was misplayed allowing Jake Whitford to score the game-winning run from second.

Highlands outhit Riverside, 8-6. The Bluebirds won despite committing five errors to two for Riverside.

Ben Vermeil pitched the seventh to pick up the win for Highlands. He allowed one hit.

Vermeil and Evan Allen had two hits each for Highlands. Vermeil had a double and run batted in.

The Bluebirds (5-1) take on Johnson Central in the second game of the Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach (S.C.). Game time is 3 p.m.

Baseball:

Beechwood 13, Newport Central Catholic 2:

The Thoroughbreds fell to 2-5 with the 9th Region loss Monday.

Beechwood (3-0) outhit NewCath, 12-6. Brayden Combs led the Tigers going 4-for-5 with a double, four runs batted in and three runs scored. Blake Hamilton followed going 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.

Kyle Fieger picked up the pitching win for Beechwood and Leo Barth took the loss for NewCath. Fieger pitched six innings striking out four and walking two.

Jake Pangallo and Grant Moeves had two hits each to lead the Thoroughbreds. Moeves had a double.

NewCath returns to action against Cooper on Tuesday at Northern Kentucky University as part of the Cincinnati Reds Futures High School Showcase. Game time is 5 p.m.

Softball:

Highlands goes 3-2 in Uncle Pete Noll Tournament:

The Highlands Ladybirds are 6-4 following a 3-2 showing at the Uncle Pete Noll Tournament at Softball City in Covington.

After beating Campbell County on Friday, Highlands lost 6-5 to Knoch (Pennsylvania). Knoch outhit Highlands, 10-3. Shelby Graybill led Highlands going 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.

The Ladybirds concluded pool play with a 13-1 win over Covington Holy Cross on Sunday. Following a 6-3 loss to Boone County, Highlands edged St. Henry 3-2 to finish the tournament. That marked the second win over the Lady Crusaders this year.

Highlands does not play again until April 11. The Ladybirds battle Rockcastle County in the Jaguar Classic at East Jessamine at 9:30 p.m.