Bluebirds blank Bulldogs behind Dreves

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Hunter Dreves fires home against Holmes on Thursday. He struck out 12.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team (9-8 overall) took care of the visiting Holmes Bulldogs, 10-0 behind the stellar pitching of junior Hunter Dreves on Thursday.

Dreves threw a complete-game no-hitter on just 72 pitches striking out 12. This marks the third shut-out of the season for the Bluebirds, who moved to 5-2 in 9th Region action.

"It was total domination from the start," said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. "We were fortunate offensively to take advantage of some walks and hit batters, but the story (Thursday) was Hunter Dreves."

Dreves had thrown another solid game against Hilliard (Ohio) Bradley at Dixie Heights on Saturday. He said the key to his success is similar to what it has been for his teammates.

"I was struggling at the beginning," Dreves said. "Just getting more repetitions in has really helped me become better as a pitcher and as a player."

Highlands drew 12 walks and had five players hit by a pitch. The Bluebirds recorded five hits with Evan Lewin leading the way going 2-for-3 with a run batted in and run scored. Bradley Greene, Ethan Doty and Kyle Rust recorded one stolen base each for Highlands.

Highlands travels across the river to take on Cincinnati Turpin on Saturday. Game time is 10 a.m.

Softball:
Boone County 7, Highlands 1:

Highlands (4-8-1 overall) lost its third in a row at home. The Ladybirds dropped to 2-3 in 9th Region action.

Highlands plays host to Simon Kenton on Monday. Game time is 5:30 p.m.