Highlands edges NewCath, 4-2

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands' Kara Fornash takes a cut in Friday's game against Newport Central Catholic. Fornash had two hits for the Ladybirds in their 4-2 victory.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic's Haley Meyers (left) and Loren Zimmerman (right) converge on the ball in Friday's game against Highlands.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – In another good game in this great rivalry, the Blue and White softball team once again claimed another regular season win.
The Highlands Ladybirds (12-11) scored twice in the top of the seventh to knock off the host Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (14-7), 4-2 on Friday at Newport Veterans Field. Highlands moved to 2-0 in 36th District action and NewCath fell to 2-1.

“Anytime these two teams meet in any sport, it’s going to be a battle,” said Rob Coffey, Highlands Head Coach. “I don’t think either of us has been playing at the top of our game the last couple weeks. I feel both can contend for the 9th Region title.”

Highlands recorded its fourth straight win following a seven-game losing streak. On the other side, NewCath has dropped three of its last four. NewCath won the district crown last year after Highlands won both regular-season contests.

“We’re just trying to get everyone back,” said Denny Barnes, NewCath Head Coach. “We had a bunch of kids in different positions. We hadn’t had much time to work on some things because of the weather. We’ll come along. We’ve had some high ups and downs. It happens every year.”

The difference in the game came on the right side of the score column. NewCath made four errors and Highlands had none. The Ladybirds ended up scoring three unearned runs off those errors.

Bailey Spencer picked up the victory for Highlands. She struck out two in the complete game while allowing just four hits and one walk. Bailey retired 10 in a row at one point. She retired the side in the second, third, sixth and seventh innings.

“One thing we really push for and our coaches repeat it all the time is execution,” said Whitney Quillen, Highlands junior third baseman. “We’ve just really come together as a team and are improving defensively.”

Newport Central Catholic freshman Haley Meyers also pitched a complete game. She struck out three and walked two.

Highlands finished with 10 hits led by sophomore standout catcher Shelby Graybill. Graybill finished 4-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Brennah Dutcher and Kara Fornash added two hits for Highlands.

“Two days ago, I took about 200 swings and I got a good old gash in my hand so the work really pays off,” Graybill said. “Intensity is a key word in the dugout. I say it every inning. We have to keep it up or our game goes down fast.”

The Highlands eighth graders were not available because they are on a trip to Washington, D.C. But pinch runners Taylor Baioni, Cloe Jansen and Morgan Coffey advanced at least one base. Baioni and Jansen scored one run each. Jansen even stole a base.

“Our depth took a little bit of a hit (Friday) so about four girls who play varsity were not here,” Coach Coffey said. “However, because we’ve created depth, we have seventh-graders that stepped into those roles. The repetitions and putting in the time the girls do consistently coming to practice has created an enormous amount of depth that we haven’t had in the past.”

The Bluebirds took the lead for good in the seventh. Ashley Grosser reached on an error and made it to third when Dutcher singled before scoring when NewCath mishandled the throw back to the infield.

Highlands added an insurance run later in the inning. Jansen ran for Dutcher and stole second. Jansen advanced to third on a Fornash single and scored when Quillen singled.

The Ladybirds struck first in their first at-bat. Graybill doubled, moved to third on a Kendall Turner single and scored on a NewCath error.

But NewCath tied it in the bottom of the frame. Kristen Schreiber singled and moved to third when Loren Zimmerman doubled before scoring when Taylor Burkart grounded out to first.

Highlands went ahead 2-1 in the top of the fifth when Graybill doubled and Baioni scored on a Rachel Gabbard sacrifice fly. Turner moved Baioni to third on a ground out.

But NewCath tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Sarah Neace doubled and Katherine Schreiber ran for her. Katherine Schrieber moved to third on a Kennedy Bin single and scored when Casey Kohls hit a sacrifice fly to center.

Both teams return to action Saturday. Highlands ventures to Cincinnati Turpin for a Noon contest and NewCath travels to Newport. Game time is 10 a.m.