Highlands puts away NewCath, 13-6

Allen Ramsey photo. Highlands junior Brady Murray takes a cut in Wednesday's game against Newport Central Catholic. The Bluebirds won 13-6.

Allen Ramsey Photo. NewCath's Zach Pangallo (42) slides into third as Highlands' Kenny Ball (right) gets in position.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

SILVER GROVE – One may not have guessed it looking at the final score.

But this baseball game stayed close until the seventh inning. That’s when the favored Highlands Bluebirds scored five runs to put away the host Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds, 13-6 in the crucial 36th District contest Wednesday at Morscher Field.

Highlands (12-8 overall, 1-0 district) has won two in a row and three straight in the series. On the other side, NewCath (7-13, 0-2) has dropped six in a row.

“(NewCath) has a great schedule. They’re playing great competition on a daily basis,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. “We knew we’d have to bring it to be able to walk away with a win.”

The Bluebirds outhit the Thoroughbreds, 15-11. Jake Whitford led the way going 4-for-4 with a triple, five runs batted in and three runs scored. Teammates Todd Ramey followed going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored and Mitch Gesenhues went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Lou Bunning had a double and scored three times and Kenny Ball had three runs batted in for Highlands.

Clint Bartels, Zach Pangallo and Grant Moeves all had two hits each to lead NewCath. Teammate Leo Barth had a double and two RBI.

Both teams made their share of errors. Highlands had four and NewCath committed three.

Both teams also left many runners on base. NewCath left 11 on base to 10 for Highlands.

Bunning picked up the pitching win for Highlands to move to 4-1 on the year. He allowed two hits and one strikeout taking over for starting pitcher Joey Cochran in the fifth inning.

“Joey Cochran was throwing a good game. You have to give him credit for that,” Bunning said. “We didn’t make a couple plays in the field that we should have made. We got out of a big jam with the bases loaded. Coach called my name and I got the job done.”

Highlands scored two runs in the first, second and fourth innings to take a 6-2 advantage. But NewCath came back and tied the game at six with four in the fifth inning.

“I liked the fire in the kids,” said Jeff Schulkens, NewCath Head Coach. “That’s one thing we’ve been lacking as a team in general.”

Clint Bartels (1-2) took the loss for the Thoroughbreds. He was tossed out of the game in the sixth inning after Highlands took the lead for good when Whitford scored on a Ball suicide squeeze bunt.

“We constantly talk about composure,” Schulkens said. “I’m not going to say much other than (Bartels) lost his composure and he deserved to be tossed. Our kids know to let me take care of it and let the umpires take care of it.”

Highlands has scored many runs over the last couple years on suicide squeeze plays. That includes one in the 9th Region quarterfinal loss to St. Henry last season.

“We work on getting (the bunt) down in practice every day even if it’s a bad pitch,” Ball said. “Coach (Baioni) had us prepared. I’m happy I could come through in such a big time. Whitford did a nice job getting on base and I got him in.”

Highlands led 8-6 following the sixth inning. Ramey scored on a NewCath throwing error.

The Bluebirds then put the game away in the seventh. Whitford singled home Alex Veneman and Mitch Gesenhues before Brady Murray scored on a Ramey single. Highlands concluded the scoring when Whitford and Ramey came home on a Ball single.

“That’s a difference between this team and some of the teams we’ve had,” Baioni said. “They hate losing. They give you 100 percent when they’re on the field and want to win.”

Highlands returns to action Thursday. The Bluebirds travel to Lloyd Memorial for a 5 p.m. contest.

NewCath does not play again until Friday in the Louisville Invitational Tournament. The Thoroughbreds takes on Bullitt East.