Wednesday Sports Briefs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Ashley Grosser makes a catch in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Bishop Brossart. Highlands moved to 7-4 with the win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team dominated its 9th Region contest Wednesday.

Highlands (8-4) handled the Covington Holy Cross Indians, 10-0 in five innings at Northern Kentucky University. The game took place as part of the Reds Futures Showcase.
Senior Joey Cochran pitched a one-hit shutout for the Bluebirds. He struck out eight.

Bluebird junior Alex Veneman was named the player of the game. In the second, Veneman hit a grand slam over the left field fence for his first career home run.

Highlands plays host to Cooper on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Baseball:

Beechwood 6, Newport Central Catholic 2:

The Thoroughbreds (5-6) will not be able to defend their All “A” State championship after losing in the All “A” 9th Region title game at Florence Field.

The Tigers outhit the Thoroughbreds, 9-6. Spencer Pangallo led NewCath with a double.

Jake Schmidt, Ethan Stringer, Jason Suchanek and Brayden Combs had two hits each for the Tigers. Schmidt had a double.

Kyle Fieger picked up the pitching win for Beechwood. He struck out five and walked three in six innings pitched.

Grant Moeves took the loss for the Thoroughbreds. He struck out four and walked one in five innings pitched.

NewCath plays in the Doc Morris Invitational starting Thursday. The Thoroughbreds take on Campbell County at 6 p.m. at Covington Holy Cross.

Softball:

Highlands 4, Bishop Brossart 3:

The Ladybirds (7-4) won in their first game in nearly a week and a half Wednesday.

Highlands outhit Bishop Brossart, 7-4 and drew one walk. The Lady Mustangs had just three walks.

Payton Leighty led Highlands with two hits. Teammate Shelby Graybill had a double and two runs batted in.

Orth had two hits for the Lady Mustangs. Teammate Kremer added two runs batted in.

Bailey Spencer took the pitching win for Highlands and Shackleford had the loss for Bishop Brossart. Spencer struck out six.

Bishop Brossart scored its three runs in the bottom of the third before Highlands tied it in the fifth. The Ladybirds took the lead for good in the seventh. Spencer singled and Brooke Dill came in to run for her. Rachel Gabbard bunted Dill to second. Dill then moved to third on a Leighty single before scoring on a sacrifice fly to right by Ashley Grosser.

Highlands plays in the Jaguar Classic at East Jessamine starting Friday. The Ladybirds battle Rockcastle County at 9:30 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic 14, Dayton 1:

The Thoroughbreds (5-3) advanced to the All “A” 9th Region semifinals with a huge win Wednesday.

NewCath garnered 17 hits. Loren Zimmerman led the way going 2-for-4 with a triple and five runs batted in. Michaela Ware and Taylor Burkart went 3-for-4 each. Burkart had a run batted in.

Also for the Thoroughbreds, Morgan Martini, Casey Kohls and Kennedy Bin had two hits each. Martini added two runs batted in.

Freshman Haley Meyers pitched another gem on the mound for NewCath. She struck out six and allowed two hits.

The Thoroughbreds take on Lloyd Memorial in the semifinals. They advanced to the title game last year before losing to St. Henry.