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 (19-7 overall) won its 11th straight with a 3-0 shutout of the Conner Lady Cougars (21-5) at Winkler Park. The Ladybirds are facing some of the 9th Region's best before the postseason begins next week.

Highlands again received a stellar pitching performance from Bailey Spencer and error-free defense behind her. Spencer struck out six and walked none to drop her earned-run average below two.

Both teams recorded seven hits. Whitney Quillen led Highlands going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Quillen singled to lead off the first. Shelby Graybill then doubled scoring her for the only run Highlands needed to win.

Highlands added two runs in the third inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Brennah Dutcher singles to right scoring Quillen and Haley Coffey.

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

Softball:
Newport Central Catholic 2, Campbell County 1:

The Thoroughbreds (19-5) did not have a hit until the sixth inning. But they managed to pull off the late-inning comeback.

Michaela Ware started it with a two-out bunt single in the sixth. She stole second and scored when Casey Kohls singled.

The Thoroughbreds won it in the seventh inning. Haley Meyers doubled with one out and ended up on third with two out when Kennedy Bin reached on an error. Pinch-runner Alex Burkart then scored when Lexi Breen singled.

Meyers threw another good game for NewCath. She struck out three and walked one.

NewCath travels to Boone County on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Baseball:
Highlands 8, Dixie Heights 0:

Barring no upsets in the district semifinals, Highlands (27-6) will enter the 9th Region Tournament knowing it has beaten all the favorites to come out of each respective district.

Mitch Jones picked up the pitching win for the Bluebirds. He struck out six. Ethan Doty pitched the seventh.

The Bluebirds outhit the Colonels, 9-2. Jake Whitford led Highlands going 3-for-3 with three runs batted in, two doubles and a run scored. D.J. Mills and Todd Ramey added doubles for Highlands.

The Bluebirds travel to Conner on Friday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Boone County 7, Newport Central Catholic 5:

NewCath (13-17) could not make it two in a row on the road.

The Thoroughbreds conclude the regular season Friday at Campbell County. Game time is 7 p.m.