Friday Sports Briefs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic junior Casey Kohls fields a ground ball in Friday's All "A" 9th Region semifinal win over Lloyd Memorial. The Thoroughbreds won the tournament for the first time since 2011.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They were not going to be denied this year.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds softball team (7-3) claimed its first All “A” 9th Region crown since 2011. The Thoroughbreds beat St. Henry, 8-2 in the title game and run-ruled Lloyd Memorial, 10-0 in five innings in the semifinals.

Freshman pitcher Haley Meyers threw a three-hitter for NewCath. She struck out seven in the championship game.

The Thoroughbreds recorded 11 hits in the win. Loren Zimmerman led the way going 4-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in and Michaela Ware had two hits including a double. Casey Kohls and Molly Mertle added two hits each.

In the semifinals, Meyers threw a one-hit shutout. She struck out eight.

The Thoroughbreds recorded 11 hits. Ware, Kristen Schreiber and Zimmerman recorded two hits each. Schreiber had three runs batted in. Casey Kohls had a triple and three RBI with Morgan Martini adding two RBI.

The Thoroughbreds take on Conner on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Softball:

Highlands 4, Rockcastle County 0:

The Ladybirds moved to 8-4 with the win in the Jaguar Classic at East Jessamine.

Highlands scored three in the first and never looked back. The Ladybirds scored another in the fourth.

Ladybird sophomore pitcher Bailey Spencer threw a complete game. She walked none and struck out five in the shutout.

The Ladybirds outhit the Lady Rockets, 5-3. Shelby Graybill led Highlands at the plate going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Whitney Quillen, Brooke Dill and Haley Coffey all had stolen bases for Highlands.

Highlands battles host East Jessamine to continue the tournament on Saturday. Game time is 9 a.m.

Baseball:

Highlands 2, Cincinnati Elder 1:

The Bluebirds (9-5) recorded another huge win Friday in Fort Thomas.

Mitch Jones and Lou Bunning led the way on the mound for Highlands and the defense committed just one error behind them. Jones threw six innings allowing three hits, two walks and one earned run while striking out seven. Bunning came on in the seventh to record the save. He struck out one.

Jake Whitford went 2-for-2 with two runs batted in to lead the Bluebirds at the plate. Teammate Brady Murray scored both runs.

Highlands outhit Elder, 7-3. Brian Guck had two hits for the Panthers as neither team recorded an extra-base hit.

The Bluebirds scored in the first frame. Whitford hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Murray.

Elder came back to tie the game in the third. John Lamers scored on a wild pitch.

But Highlands took the lead for good in the fifth. Murray was hit by a pitch then advanced to third on an Evan Allen sacrifice bunt. Whitford then singled him home.

The Bluebirds return to action against another Greater Catholic League opponent on Saturday. They travel across the river to face Cincinnati McNicholas at 10:30 a.m.

Newport Central Catholic 9, Johnson Central 8:

The Thoroughbreds edged the Golden Eagles in the Doc Morris Invitational at Covington Holy Cross on Friday.

NewCath (6-7) outhit Johnson Central, 14-8. Jake Pangallo led the way going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Zack Pangallo, Grant Moeves, Spencer Pangallo and Kole Zenni had two hits each for NewCath. Clint Bartels and Leo Barth had two runs batted in each with Mitch Pangallo also scoring twice.

Zenni picked up the pitching win in relief. He pitched two innings.

NewCath takes on Rowan County in the tournament Saturday. Game time is 2:30 p.m.