Highlands, NC softball teams hope to make noise in region tournament

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic's Kristen Schreiber (7) slides under the tag of Highlands junior Whitney Quillen (with ball) while teammate Haley Coffey (back) backs up in Thursday's 36th District championship game. Both hope to make noise in the 9th Region Tournament.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The idea of softball teams from Campbell County competing with teams in Boone County seemed light years away a few years ago.

But the gap seems to have closed recently. The Highlands Ladybird and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds hope to prove that in this year’s 9th Region Tournament to be played at Northern Kentucky University.

“I have to give a lot of credit to the Campbell County Softball League,” said Denny Barnes, NewCath Head Coach. “We’re starting to see players come in now that we don’t have to teach how to play fastpitch softball. So we have more time to teach them the finer points of the game. We don’t have to start over every year. I think they have more than 700 girls in their program and Boone County dropped its program.”

NewCath (18-10) takes on Conner (19-15) at 11 a.m. and Highlands (23-11) battles Covington Holy Cross (13-19) at 5 p.m. The Ladybirds have won 15 in a row following a 2-1 win over the Thoroughbreds in the 36th District championship Thursday at Winkler Park.

Highlands earned a good draw. Holy Cross and St. Henry are the two lone teams in the tournament losing records. The Ladybirds finished 9-3 against the field.

They beat St. Henry and NewCath three times, Holy Cross twice and Conner once. Highlands lost to Boone County twice, Notre Dame once and did not play Dixie Heights. Highlands would meet either Boone County or Dixie Heights in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

“Our motto right now is, ‘Do your job,” said Rob Coffey, Highlands Head Coach. “We have to control what we can control. We can’t control our starting pitcher went out. It’s going to be a really fun tournament goes.”

Highlands also beat Ryle in the last game of the regular season. The Lady Raiders have won seven of the past nine region tournaments including a state championship in 2006.

But NewCath has an uphill climb to win the tournament. The Thoroughbreds would most likely face defending region champion Notre Dame in the region semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday if they beat the Lady Cougars.

Conner has consistently made it to the region championship game winning it in 2009. The Lady Cougars have appeared in eight of the past nine regional championship games.

NewCath finished 3-4 against the field with three of the losses coming to Highlands. The other came to Notre Dame. The Thoroughbreds beat St. Henry. Covington Holy Cross and Dixie Heights.

The Ladybirds played solid defense in their district tournament wins over Dayton and NewCath. They will need it again behind eighth grade pitcher Miranda Mason. Sophomore pitcher Bailey Spencer is out for the season after her Appendix was removed.

“We told her to throw strikes and do what you can to keep them off-balance,” Coffey said. “You have a solid defense behind you. They’re going to hit her. She had a tremendous two days (in the district tournament) on the mound and just really grew up.”

Highlands has had solid hitting all season led by sophomore catcher Shelby Graybill. Teammates like Brennah Dutcher, Whitney Quillen and Haley Coffey have had big games recently.

But the big asset the Ladybirds have this year is depth. Players like Josie Daley, Brooke Dill and Taylor Baioni give Highlands speed on the base as pinch runners. Dill hustled around third and scored the game-winning run in the district championship game against NewCath.

“Normally (Coach Coffey) gives us a head’s up before the game so we can get prepared,” Daley said. “(Advancing on the bases) depends upon where it goes and the distance it gets away from (the fielder) and your speed. It’s so much fun. I’m excited to help them get this far.”

NewCath has had consistency on pitching and defense for the most part. Freshman Haley Meyers has taken control on the mound and given the Thoroughbreds a chance to win most of their games.

The key for NewCath is eliminating untimely mistakes and consistent hitting. Highlands scored two runs off two Thoroughbred errors on Thursday.

NewCath has a number of players capable of putting together big games at the plate. That includes Taylor Burkart, Morgan Martini, Michaela Ware and Molly Mertle.

“If we get in a groove, we can go anywhere,” Barnes said. “We’re not putting hits together. That happens a lot.”

Highlands made the region semifinals last year before losing to Notre Dame. NewCath made the region semifinals two years ago before losing to Conner. The Thoroughbreds also won the All “A” 9th Region crown and finished 2-2 in the state tournament.