Bluebirds Cruise to 36th Championship

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Spencer Dee takes a swing in a recent game.

From the beginning, it quickly became evident the Blue and White would dominate and prevent the unthinkable.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team (21-12 overall) scored four times in the first inning, added nine more in the second and the route was on. Highlands took care of the visiting Newport Wildcats, 18-1 in five innings in the 36th District semifinals.

Highlands outhit Newport, 13-3 and took advantage of 10 walks and three errors. On the other side, the Bluebird defense committed just one error and walked none. Grady Cramer pitched the first three innings for Highlands and struck out seven with Spencer Dee pitching the last two and striking out six.

Kyle Rust and Trey Bowden both went 2-for-2 to lead Highlands at the plate. Bowden doubled twice scoring three times and driving in three runs. Rust had a double driving home two and scoring twice. Kyle Finfrock delivered a big hit in the second inning for the Bluebirds doubling in three.

Highlands plays host to Newport Central Catholic for the district championship Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.