Highlands Starts Season with Win

Bluebird Softball Beats Bishop Brossart

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands eighth-grader Gracie Schlosser waits on the pitch Friday against Bishop Brossart. Schlosser threw the first three innings as the Bluebirds opened the season with a 14-5 win.

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team could only get in one game this week.

But when it happened Friday, the Bluebirds took full advantage of it knocking off the Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs, 14-5. Highlands played as the visiting team since Bishop Brossart was supposed to play host. The game moved to Winkler Field because it was in good shape to play on.

"We've just been really excited and really ready to play a game," said Rebecca Breen, Highlands senior. "This was a great opportunity to get the field ready and just to be out there with the girls and get to experience a win."

Highlands saw fifth-year starter Rachel Gabbard lead the way with three hits. Eighth-graders Anna Greenwell and Addy Mack added two hits each. The Bluebirds also did a nice job taking advantage of opportunities to move up bases off Bishop Brossart's physical and mental errors in the field.

"It's really nice because we've really been working on putting the ball in play," said Rob Coffey, sixth-year Highlands Head Coach. "We have a ton of speed this year. We have some big hitters who can drive runs in. Wreak havoc on the bases is what we're looking to do this year."

Highlands built a nice lead and put in a whole new line-up midway through the game. Sophomore Abby Rust and junior Morgan Coffey saw action for the first time in two years after not playing last year.

"We were just really focusing on executing everything making sure we got all our pick-off plays right," Rust said. "If you see a ground ball, you pick it up and throw it. You kind of know what base to throw to no matter what. It's kind of easy after you do it for so long."

Eighth-grader Gracie Schlosser threw the first three innings and allowed two earned runs. Seventh-grader Kennedy Baioni came on in relief and pitched the last four innings allowing three earned runs.

Freshman Rosie Jump led Bishop Brossart with three hits. Junior Ellie Martin took the loss pitching six innings and allowing 10 earned runs.

Highlands plays at home Wednesday against Loveland (Ohio). Game time is 5 p.m.

No Games for Highlands Baseball:

The three-time defending 9th Region champion Bluebirds were not able to play any games in the first week of the season. The home game against Campbell County along with a road game at Conner and doubleheader at Louisville St. Xavier against the Tigers and Bowling Green Purples was cancelled because of cold weather. The Bluebirds have Cincinnati Elder on the schedule for Monday at 5 p.m. at Highland Park.