Rough Day for Highlands Sports

Bluebird Baseball, Softball Both Run-Ruled

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Members of the Highlands baseball team and coaches salute the flag at Great American Ballpark before facing Covington Catholic on Friday.

It did not turn out to be a good day for the Blue and White in their second appearance at Great American Ballpark in two years.

Facing the arch-rival Covington Catholic Colonels (10-4 overall) in front of about 1,000 of their fans, the Bluebirds (11-5) hoped to earn a huge 9th Region victory. Instead, the Colonels scored six runs in the fourth inning on their way to an 11-0 six-inning run-ruling Friday.

The Colonels outhit the Bluebirds, 10-2. But they also took advantage of 10 walks, one Highland error and a hit batsman. On the other side, Highlands managed four base runners the whole game.

"It happens. I thought we had really good approaches early on," said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. "We got the barrel on a lot of balls. Unfortunately, it was right at them a lot of times. That's a good baseball team. They swung it well. They're very disciplined at the plate. You have to credit them."

CovCath senior Jack Maile pitched a complete game striking out five and walking just two. Maile also went 3-for-3 at the plate with a run batted in.

The Colonels also played great defense behind Maile making no errors. Senior center fielder Jonathan Dietz made a diving grab in center field to take away an extra-base hit from Highlands early in the game.

Juniors Bryce Ziegler and Cooper Schwalbach had the Highlands singles. Schwalbach also walked once and senior Tyler Gulley drew the other base on balls.

Highlands plays host to St. Henry on Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m.

Softball:
Bourbon County 19, Highlands 5 (Five Innings):

The Bluebirds (7-3) were run-ruled for the first time this year and saw their five-game winning streak snapped by the Lady Colonels (10-6).

Bourbon County outhit Highlands, 17-7. Senior Brooke Dill had two hits and two runs batted in to lead the Bluebirds. Senior Ella Griewe, junior Morgan Coffey and sophomore Taylar Lorenzen had one RBI each.

The Lady Colonels scored six unearned runs off four Highlands errors. Bourbon County committed just one error.

Highlands travels to Ursuline Academy on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m.