Monday Roundup: NewCath softball edges Highlands in another classic

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior catcher Kristen Schrieber makes a play in Monday's game against Highlands.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlads junior Brennah Dutcher catches a pop up in Monday's 36th District game against Newport Central Catholic

The games have been decided by two runs or less in the last three meetings.

This one belonged to the team from The Hill as the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (13-5) edged the Highlands Ladybirds (9-7), 3-2 in the 36th District seed game Monday. NewCath finished 4-0 in district play and Highlands is 2-1 with a game against Dayton remaining. Highlands won all three meetings last year.

NewCath sophomore pitcher Haley Meyers and Highlands junior pitcher threw complete games. They struck out six each.

Both teams had five hits each. But Highlands had two errors to one for NewCath and that turned out to be the difference.

Kristen Schreiber led NewCath going 2-for-3. Meyers and Kennedy Bin led the Thoroughbreds with one run batted in each.

Brennah Dutcher went 3-for-3 to lead Highlands. Spencer and Whitney Quillen had one RBI each.

The Ladybird scored first in the bottom of the second. With one out, Kara Fornash reached on an error, moved to second on a Dutcher single and third when Rachel Gabbard walked to load the bases. She then scored on a ground out.

The Thoroughbreds scored all their runs in the fourth. With one out, Schreiber singled to left and stole second with two out. A wild throw enabled her to go to third before Meyers singled her in. Meyers then hustled around to score when Morgan Martini hit one down the right field line. Alex Burkart ran for Martini and scored on a Bin single.

Highlands got one back in the seventh. Rachel Gabbard reached first on a force out and moved to second when Spencer singled before scoring on a Quillen single with two out.

Both teams return to action Tuesday. NewCath plays host to Bishop Brossart at 5 p.m. and Highlands travels to Covington Holmes for a 5:30 p.m. contest.

Baseball:
Highlands 8, Bishop Brossart 4:

The Bluebirds moved to 17-4 with the road non-region win.

John Penrod started and picked up the win for the Bluebirds. He pitched into the sixth inning striking out four and walking just two. Grayson Heck pitched the final out of the sixth and Todd Ramey threw the seventh.

Highlands outhit Bishop Brossat, 8-7. Todd Ramey and D.J. Mills led the Bluebirds going 2-for-4 each. Mills hit two solo home runs and Ramey homered and doubled for four RBI and two runs scored. Joseph Martin also went 2-for-3 with a solo home run.

The Bluebirds play host to defending state runner-up Simon Kenton on Tuesday. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic 9, Lloyd Memorial 2:

The Thoroughbreds (8-12) took care of business in the 9th Region game.

All the scoring came in the first three innings. The Thoroughbreds pulled away with six in the third inning.

NewCath outhit Lloyd Memorial, 14-5. Brandon Gray and Zack Pangallo both went 3-for-4 to lead the Thoroughbreds. Gray had three runs batted in, scored twice and stole two bases. Grant Moeves and Clint Bartels had two hits each for NewCath.

Moves threw a complete game for the win for the Thoroughbreds. He struck out six and walked one.

NewCath plays host to Cooper on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m.