Bluebirds Snap Losing Streak

Ladybirds Lose Heartbreaker to Lady Raiders

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Kyle Rust waits on a pitch in a recent game. Rust went 2-for-4 with a double, four runs batted in and two runs scored to help Highlands to a 12-1 win at Ryle on Monday.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team (18-11 overall) pulled away from the host Ryle Raiders for a 12-1 9th Region win Monday.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak. The Bluebirds also moved to 11-4 and avenged a 4-3 to the Raiders in Covington on April 13.

"We desparately needed a good offensive day and finally strung some hits together," said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. "We've been pitching well most of the season and have played solid defense. We are a little behind where we need to be offensively this time of year. Hopefully, (Monday) gets us on track. We really took some good approaches after the third inning and put some solid at-bats together."

Ryle dropped to 12-18 overall. The Bluebirds beat the Raiders, 7-0 two years ago in the region championship.

"It's more about how we can stay together as a team and not get selfish, not put the losses on separate people and take the losses as a team and bring everything we got into the next game," said Kyle Rust, Highlands senior. "It's about putting in 100 percent and doing what we can to get the win and that's what we did (Monday)."

Drew Rom pitched a complete game for the win. He struck out seven, walked one and allowed three hits and an earned run. Rom also went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and two runs batted in.

Highlands had 12 hits total. Rust went 2-for-4 with a double, four runs batted in and two runs scored. Sam Hennigan went 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI. Brady Gosney added a double.

Highlands plays host to Covington Catholic on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Softball:
Ryle 8, Highlands 6:

Highlands lost a close one in Union. Brooke Dill went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and Rachel Gabbard went 3-for-3 to lead the Ladybirds. Dill and Kara Fornash made great plays defensively. Ella Griewe threw a complete game for Highlands.

The Ladybirds travel to Notre Dame on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m.