Bluebirds ready for challenge against top-ranked Mustangs

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior second baseman Grayson Heck (left) applies the tag on Ryle's Brady Ast in the 9th Region championship game on Wednesday while Jake Whitford (center) backs up. Highlands faces McCracken County at 10 a.m. in the state tournament at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington.

It is near the top of the biggest games, if not the biggest game they've ever played in during their high school athletic careers.

Ladybirds fall run short of 9th Region repeat

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Whitney Quillen connects for one of her four hits in the 9th Region Softball championship game Thursday against Notre Dame.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior shortstop Haley Coffey (bottom) and Notre Dame left fielder Lindsey Meier (top) collide in the top of the fifth while Coffey tried to grab a ground ball.

This game may linger until the start of next season.

Highlands earns elusive 9th Region crown in convincing fashion

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands players celebrate after winning the 9th Region title Wednesday. The Bluebirds will make their first state tournament appearance since 1973.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior and Tournament Most Valuable Player Jake Whitford (4) goes up to make a play.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Brady Murray slides in safely in the third inning to score the game's first run. He came all the way around from first base on the play.

FLORENCE - From the last out in last year's title game, the returning players primed up to come back and ram through the doors to that elusive 9th Region baseball crown.

Highlands shuts out Conner in 9th Softball Semifinals

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior catcher Shelby Graybill blasts a home run in Wednesday's 9th Region semifinal contest against Conner. Highlands won 6-0 and will play for its second straight region title Thursday at 5:30 p.m. back at Northern Kentucky University.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - It seems to be a new Highlands tradition.

Ryle stops NewCath momentum

The underdogs needed another big performance to make a surprising return to the 9th Region baseball title game.

Bluebirds earn another shot at 9th Region Baseball crown

PHOTO: Jennifer Jones. Highlands senior Mitch Jones (2) delivers home in a recent game while D.J. Mills (left) waits at first base. Jones moved to 7-2 with the pitching win for the Bluebirds in Tuesday's 4-2 9th Region semifinal win over Boone County. Jones retired the side in the seventh inning.

FLORENCE - This is the spot they have been aiming for since their season ended about a year ago.

Softball semifinals delayed one day

All four 9th Region softball teams that qualified for the semifinals stayed alive another day thanks to Mother Nature.

NewCath handles Dixie Heights to start 9th Region Tournament

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. The Newport Central Catholic baseball players and coaches watch during Monday's 9th Region Quarterfinal game against Dixie Heights. The Thoroughbreds won 11-1 in five innings.

FLORENCE - Their below-.500 record may convey they've come into the 9th Region Baseball Tournament with less pressure than usual.

Notre Dame ends NewCath softball season

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior shorstop Michaela Ware ranges to make a catch in the fourth inning of Monday's 9th Region quarterfinal game at Northern Kentucky University.

The Notre Dame Pandas happened to be the opponent three years ago when the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds last won a 9th Region Softball Tournament game at Northern Kentucky University.

Highlands baseball, softball teams record sound victories in 9th Region quarterfinals

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands second baseman Rachel Gabbard dives after a ball in Monday's 9th Region quarterfinal game against Beechwood. Gabbard went 3-for-3 with a triple and RBI in the 12-0 Highlands win.

From this point forward, the Highlands Bluebirds baseball and Ladybirds softball teams know they will have to earn everything.

9th Region Quarterfinal Baseball, Softball Box Score

9th Region Baseball Quarterfinals:

Teams:                                             R  H   E
St. Henry (13-18)     001 000  0  --  1   4   5
Highlands (30-6)      103 211  X --  8  11  0

Highlands Leading Hitters:
Todd Ramey - 3-for-4, Double, Three RBI, One run scored.
Jake Whitford - 3-for-3, Double, Triple, Two RBI, Three runs scored.
Luke Hennigan - 2-for-3, Triple, One RBI.

Highlands Pitchers:
                                 IP   K   BB  H   R   ER
Ricky Raisor (W)     5     6     2    3    1     1
Lou Bunning            2     1     0    1    0     0


9th Region Softball Quarterfinals:

Teams:                                        R   H  E
Beechwood (10-16)  000 00  --  0    4   1
Highlands (23-8)      404 4X --  12  11  2

Highlands Leading Hitters:
Whitney Quillen - 2-for-4, Triple
Haley Coffey - 2-for-4, Triple, Three RBI.
Rachel Gabbard - 3-for-3, Triple, One RBI.
Josie Daley - 2-for-3
Brooke Dill - 2-for-2, Four RBI
Shelby Graybill - 1-for-2, Double

Highlands Pitchers:
                                    IP   K   BB  H   R   ER
Bailey Spencer (W)     5     5     0    4    0     0

Weekend Round-up: Region baseball, softball tournaments begin Monday

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Josie Daley (28) slides in for a run in Thursday's 36th District championship game. Highlands opens the 9th Region Tournament against Beechwood on Monday.

The Highlands baseball and softball teams received good draws for the 9th Region quarterfinals Saturday.

Highlands outscores NewCath by combined 13-0 to capture 36th District baseball, softball crowns

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands shortstop Haley Coffey ranges to grab the ball in Thursday's 36th District championship game.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic catcher Kristen Schreiber makes a diving catch in Thursday's 36th District title game.

BELLEVUE - It was a Blue and White day in 36th District championship games Thursday.

Highlands baseball, softball teams have little trouble in postseason openers

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Shelby Graybill connects in Wednesday's game against Newport. The Ladybirds won 12-1 to advance to the district championship at Winkler Field.

The two teams did not expect to have any issues moving on to the next round and proved it with sound victories in the 36th District Tournament semifinals to open the postseason.

NewCath baseball, softball teams advance

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Loren Zimmerman (right) and Head Coach Denny Barnes share a laugh during Tuesday's 36th District semifinal win over Dayton.

The Newport Central Catholic baseball and softball teams advanced to the 9th Region Tournament with 36th District semifinal wins Tuesday.

Saturday Round-up: Ladybirds capture region track and field crown

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Mikayla Reichert throws the discus in a recent meet. She won the Class 2A, Region 4 discus throw with a toss of 117 feet, 9 inches.

The Highlands Ladybirds won the Class AA, Region 4 track and field championship at Scott on Saturday with 175 points. They beat runner-up Lexington Catholic by 11 points.

Friday Round-up: Ladybirds earn 20th win entering postseason

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Josie Daley slides in safely in Friday's game against Ryle. Highlands won 13-0 in five innings for its 20th win of the season.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team entered the postseason with a convincing win.

Laskey, Highlands girls tennis doubles team advance to round of 16

The Highlands tennis teams saw an singles player and doubles team make it to the second day of state competition at the University of Kentucky.

Pandas end Ladybird win streak at 11

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Haley Coffey fields the ball in Thursday's game against Notre Dame.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team had been doing the small things well lately.

Thursday Round-up: Highlands softball earns huge win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands first baseman Brennah Dutcher records the final out Wednesday against Conner. Highlands recorded a huge 3-0 win.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team recorded perhaps its biggest win of the season Wednesday.

Highlands tennis heads to state with high hopes

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Meredith Laskey is hoping for another shot at the singles state championship after finishing runner-up last year.

The majority of the Highlands qualifiers for the state tournament have something that can't be coached.

Walz, Bluebirds benefit from run-ruling

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Brady Walz throws out the first pitch in Tuesday's game at Highland Park against Covington Catholic while Lou Bunning (right) watches. All proceeds from the game went to Walz to aid his fight against Leukemia.

Just seeing the Covington Catholic Colonels in the other dugout served as enough motivation for the hosts.

Tuesday Round-up: Highlands softball begins tough week on good note

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Taylor Baioni makes a catch in a recent game. Highlands won its ninth straight, 9-0 over Bishop Brossart on Tuesday.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team (18-7 overall) began the tough week with a 9-0 win over the visiting Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs on Monday at Winkler Park.

Highlands baseball finishes unbeaten in district seed play

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team wrapped up another undefeated district seeding game campaign with a five-inning, 12-0 win on Tuesday over the Dayton Greendevils.

Ladybirds pick up wins in doubleheader

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Brooke Dill makes a play in Saturday's doubleheader. Highlands won both games at Winkler Field to move to 17-7 on the season.

It is a combination that makes a coaching staff extremely happy at this time of the year.

Saturday Round-up: Bluebirds run-rule Crusaders

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands seniors, from left, Brady Murray, Alex Veneman and Lou Bunning watch during the national anthem before a recent game. 

The St. Henry Crusaders proved no match for the Highlands Bluebirds on Saturday.

Friday Round-up: Highlands softball wins 15th of season

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Whitney Quillen (24) tries to make a play in Friday's game against Covington Holy Cross.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team handled the Covington Holy Cross Lady Indians, 16-1 to move to 15-7 on the season. Highlands has won six in a row.

Thursday Round-up: Highlands softball roles past Dixie Heights

The bats hit full throttle in their latest 9th Region win Thursday.

Wednesday Round-up: NewCath softball wins ninth straight; HHS baseball, softball win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Kristen Schreiber hits her second three-run home run against Cooper on Wednesday.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team equaled last year's win total with an 18-0 five-inning run-ruling of the host Newport Wildcats on Wednesday.

Gerrein builds girls soccer program at Walton-Verona

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Kristen Pratt-Gerrein watches during a recent conditioning session at Walton-Verona High School. The 2006 Highlands graduate led the Bearcats girls soccer team to an All "A" 8th Region championship last fall.

It did not take long for Kristen Pratt-Gerrein to get back on the sidelines.

Tuesday Roundup: Laskey captures another region crown; Bluebird baseball rallies for win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Mitch Jones fires to the plate in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team won its second battle in two days against 33rd District opponents.

Monday Roundup: Highlands softball run-rules Dayton

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Kara Fornash grabs the ball in Monday's game at Dayton. She went 3-for-4 as Highlands won 11-0 in five innings.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team recorded its second straight run-ruling on the road Monday.

Highlands (12-7) took care of 36th District opponent Dayton, 11-0 in five innings. The Ladybirds finished 3-1 in district seed play.

Bluebirds drop two in doubleheader at CovCath

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands catcher Luke Hennigan (13) takes a swing in a recent game.

PARK HILLS - It is gut check time for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team.

Bluebirds fall to Bombers

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Brady Murray makes a catch in Friday's game against Cincinnati St. Xavier. 

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team has to wait another day to go after its 20th win of the season.