Ryle stops NewCath momentum

The underdogs needed another big performance to make a surprising return to the 9th Region baseball title game.

NewCath handles Dixie Heights to start 9th Region Tournament

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. The Newport Central Catholic baseball players and coaches watch during Monday's 9th Region Quarterfinal game against Dixie Heights. The Thoroughbreds won 11-1 in five innings.

FLORENCE - Their below-.500 record may convey they've come into the 9th Region Baseball Tournament with less pressure than usual.

Highlands edges NewCath in crucial district battle

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Bluebirds celebrate as Austin Mayhew (3) scores the game-winning run in Wednesday's game against Newport Central Catholic.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic first baseman Bryson Hightchew (right) extends for the ball while Highlands' Todd Ramey (44) hustles.

When the starting pitching is good and defenses play error-free behind them, it makes batters not feel good about their days offensively.

But one at-bat can quickly erase those feelings. Highlands Bluebirds baseball junior Conner Kreeger found that out Wednesday in a crucial 36th District seed game against the rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds.

Saturday Round-up: Bluebirds pull away from Rebels

The floodgates opened up in the top of the fifth inning for the visiting baseball team Saturday.

Baseball Roundup: Thoroughbreds handle Mustangs again

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds baseball team recorded its second win on the season against Bishop Brossart, 7-2 on Monday in six innings.

Baseball Roundup: Thoroughbreds handle Mustangs again

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds baseball team recorded its second win on the season against Bishop Brossart, 7-2 on Monday in six innings.

Thursday Roundup: Bluebirds move to 4-1

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team took down Pittsford (New York) Sutherland, 4-3 to move to 4-1 on the season Thursday.

Highlands puts away NewCath, 13-6

Allen Ramsey photo. Highlands junior Brady Murray takes a cut in Wednesday's game against Newport Central Catholic. The Bluebirds won 13-6.

Allen Ramsey Photo. NewCath's Zach Pangallo (42) slides into third as Highlands' Kenny Ball (right) gets in position.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

SILVER GROVE – One may not have guessed it looking at the final score.

But this baseball game stayed close until the seventh inning. That’s when the favored Highlands Bluebirds scored five runs to put away the host Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds, 13-6 in the crucial 36th District contest Wednesday at Morscher Field.

Thursday Baseball Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team led 6-4 going into the top of the seventh.

But the visiting Cooper Jaguars scored six in the top of the inning to leave Fort Thomas with a 10-6 victory Thursday. Highlands fell to 8-5 with the 9th Region loss.

Dixie Heights ends NewCath's three-peat hopes

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic pitcher Josh Cain delivers to the plate in Monday's 9th Region quarterfinal contest at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Stadium. Cain threw six solid innings striking out four. But the two-time defending region champions fell to Dixie Heights, 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FLORENCE – It marked a tough way to end the season Monday.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds baseball team (20-14) dropped a 2-1 decision to the Dixie Heights Colonels (26-12) with one out in the bottom of the seventh of the 9th Region quarterfinals. That sank the hopes of a three-peat for NewCath, which also won the region in 2008. The game took place at University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Instead, the Colonels advanced to the region semifinals Wednesday. Dixie Heights lost to Highlands in the region semifinals last year.

“We lost so many players off last year’s squad,” said Chris Maxwell, Dixie Heights Head Coach. “Somebody picked us to win our district this year. We got off to a rocky start at the beginning of the season. Twenty-six wins out of this group, that’s awesome.”

Matt Wehrle led off the inning for the Colonels with a single up the middle then took second on a wild pitch before Casey Cox moved him to third on a ground out forcing NewCath to bring the infielders and outfielders in. On a 2-0 count, Ethan Harrison singled to left to bring in Wehrle to win the game for the Colonels.

“Give their (Dixie Heights) credit,” said Jeff Schulkens, NewCath Head Coach. “Connor (Bartels) got a little frustrated with some pitchers that he thought were strikes, but were called balls. He threw a fastball there and (Harrison) punished it. We anticipated the squeeze at some point. But at 2-0, you have to give a kid a chance to hit.”

Garrett Combs pitched a complete game for Dixie Heights. He stuck out seven Thoroughbreds while allowing three hits and four walks.

“I am going to be honest. We’ve never seen (Combs) pitch,” Schulkens said. “He kept us off-balance. He pitched low and away. We took some strikes where our batters thought they were outside. But if they’re called strikes, you have to make the adjustment.”

Josh Cain pitched six innings for the Thoroughbreds before Bartels pitched the seventh. Cain struck out four and allowed two hits and two walks. Bartels also allowed two hits.

The issue with the four hits is they came in the same innings. The first pair let the Colonels tie the game in the fourth. Henry Kerns doubled and Seth Caple singled him in to tie the game at 1-1. Cain and the Thoroughbred defense did retire the next three batters to minimize the damage in that frame.

The Thoroughbreds did pitch out of a tough situation in the bottom of the sixth. Adam Daria walked before stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error.

But Cain struck out Kerns before intentionally walking Caple. Evan Hicks ran for Caple both times he reached base. Cain then struck out Eric Elkus before coaxing Nick King into grounding out to Colin DuPont at second.

NewCath scored its lone run in the third. Zach Pangallo walked with one out and one out later, Cain doubled to the right center gap to score him. Pangallo finished 2-for-3 and walked the other time to lead the Thoroughbreds at the plate.

Despite not hitting the ball well, the Thoroughbreds did have other chances to score. Zach Pangallo singled to lead off the first and moved to second after Combs hit Dom Pangallo with a pitch. But Combs retired the next three NewCath players to end the threat.

“(Combs) got himself into jams with those three walks,” Maxwell said. “As the (Cincinnati) Reds says, walks haunt you on the stadium scoreboard, but he pitched out of them. (Combs) went about 17 scoreless innings two to three walks ago. He also gave up one run against Corbin last week so he’s been solid for us.”

The Thoroughbreds also left runners in scoring position in the third, fifth and seventh innings. Zach Pangallo singled to start the fifth, took second on a sacrifice but then stole third with two outs before Combs coaxed Pete Collopy into popping out.

In the seventh, Nick Seibert walked before Michael Bueter sacrifice bunted him to second. After Zach Pangallo flied out, Combs hit Dom Pangallo with a pitch. But Cain flied out to end the threat.

The Thoroughbreds graduate nine seniors from this year’s squad. They are Cain, Bueter, Collopy, Dom Pangallo, Kevin Hoffstedder, Seibert, Bartels and Alex Grau. Grau could not play after fouling off a pitch below his right eye in Thursday’s 36th District Championship 3-0 loss to Highlands.

It still marked another great season for the Thoroughbreds. They won their first All “A” state championship a few weeks ago.

All "A" State Baseball Semis Cancelled

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The All "A" State Baseball Semifinals in Lexington were cancelled because of excessive rain.

Newport Central Catholic will face Hazard in one semifinal game with Danville battling Prestonsburg in the other game Tuesday. The title game will take place the same day with the times to be announced Monday.

Saturday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds baseball team advanced to the All “A” State Semifinals with a 4-0 shutout of the Glasgow Scotties on Saturday.

Josh Cain threw another masterpiece on the mound for the Thoroughbreds (15-10). In the complete game, he struck out two, walked one and allowed just two hits.

Offensively, NewCath banged out 10 hits. Pete Collopy, Nick Seibert and Zach Pangallo all had two hits each. Collopy, Pangallo and Colin DuPont all had doubles and Dom Pangallo tripled with Alex Grau recording a stolen base.

The Thoroughbreds slowly built up their lead over the course of the ballgame. They scored single runs in the second, third, sixth and seventh innings.

NewCath faces Hazard at 8:30 a.m. in the semifinals. The winner plays either Danville or Prestonsburg for the championship at 1 p.m.

Cincinnati Moeller baseball 7, Highlands 2:

The visiting Bluebirds and Crusaders entered the sixth tied at 2-2. But Moeller scored five straight runs to pull off the victory.

Jake Whitford led Highlands (15-14) at the plate going 2-for-3. Teammate Gabe Schultz added a double.

Highlands travels to Cooper on Monday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Highlands Softball drops two:

The Bluebirds (13-8) lost two over the weekend at Lexington Tates Creek on Saturday. They lost to the hosts, 10-3 and Garrard County, 8-0.

Highlands plays host to Boone County at 5 p.m. Monday.

Tuesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team eclipsed last year’s win total with a 9-4 win over the Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs on Tuesday. The Blubirds are 11-5 overall.

Highlands plays host to Dixie Heights on Wednesday. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic baseball 9, Covington Catholic 7:

The Thoroughbreds (14-10) bounced back from Monday’s tough loss to down the host Colonels in a battle of 9th Region contenders Tuesday.

NewCath trailed 3-2 after three innings. But the Thoroughbreds used a six-run fourth inning to go up 8-3 and never looked back.

CovCath outhit NewCath, 12-10. Dom Pangallo, Josh Cain and Kevin Hoffstedder had two hits each to lead the Thoroughbreds. Connor Bartels led NewCath with three runs batted with Alex Grau scoring three runs and Pete Collopy two. Collopy added a stolen base.

Brandon Gray pitched the first four innings and picked up the win for the Thoroughbreds. He struck out one. Nick Seibert pitched the fifth and Colin DuPont the sixth and seventh to pick up the save.

NewCath travels to Cincinnati Elder on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Monday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team recorded a huge 6-4 win in Alexandria on Monday over the 2012 state semifinalist Bishop Brossart Mustangs on Monday.

Highlands scored three in the first and another in the second to go up 4-0 and held off Bishop Brossart. The Bluebirds moved to 14-12.

Jake Whitford, Gabe Schultz, Quentin Murray and Evan Allen all had two hits each for Highlands. Murray had three runs batted in and Schultz two on two infield singles with Whitford and Todd Ramey both recording doubles.

“We tend to score runs early then go on cruise control,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands head coach. “We kept the pressure on them. We knew they’d score some runs.”

Joey Cochran pitched the first four innings to pick up the win moving to 5-1 on the year. Jake Liggett pitched the next three to record his fourth save of the year.

Highlands outhit Bishop Brossart, 12-7 and took advantage of three Mustang errors. Tanner Norton and Teddy MacDonald led the Mustangs each going 2-for-4 with doubles and Clay Kramer went 2-for-3.

Highlands hopes to wrap up the top seed in the 36th District Tournament at Bellevue on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Lloyd Memorial 5, Newport Central Catholic 4:

The Thoroughbreds (13-10) dropped a close one to the Juggernauts on Monday.

They outhit the Juggernauts, 9-8. Alex Grau, Zach Pangallo and Kevin Hoffstedder all banged out two hits each for NewCath. Pangallo doubled and scored twice with Hoffstedder and Dom Pangallo adding two-baggers.

Tommy Donnelly pitched six innings for the Thoroughbreds. Mitch Pangallo came on and pitched in the seventh.

NewCath takes on Covington Catholic in Park Hills at 5 p.m. today.

Softball:

Newport Central Catholic 10, Ludlow 9:

The Thoroughbreds (10-10) edged the Panthers on Monday in a tight contest.

NewCath outhit Ludlow, 16-6. Ludlow stayed in the game taking advantage of six Thoroughbred errors.

Michaela Ware, Christine Enzweiler, Morgan Martini and Casey Kohls all recorded three hits each for NewCath. Martini and Kohls recorded two RBIs each. Taylor Burkart followed going 2-for-5 with two RBI.

Sarah Neace pitched five strong innings for NewCath. She struck out six and walked five. Haley Meyers pitched the final two innings to pick up the win moving to 2-3 on the year with two strikeouts.

The Thoroughbreds play host to Newport at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Cancellation:

Highlands (10-5) was to travel to Simon Kenton for a 5:30 p.m. contest Monday. But the game was rained out.

The Bluebirds travel to Bishop Brossart tonight. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Saturday Roundup

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team matched last year’s win total with a 12-0 five-inning run-ruling of the Beechwood Lady Tigers on Saturday.

Highlands (10-5) scored five runs in each of the first and fourth innings before scoring two more in the fifth. The Bluebirds outhit the Lady Tigers, 15-3 in the error-free contest.

The Bluebirds saw five players record two or more hits. Haley Coffey led the way going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Whitney Quillen and Ashley Grosser also finished 3-for-4. Quillen had a double and two runs scored with Grosser doubling and tripling on her way to two RBI and two runs scored.

Freshman Shelby Graybill, the state’s leading hitter, went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Both her hits were doubles. Payton Leighty also went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored for Highlands.

The Bluebirds also recorded two triples off the bats of Bailey Spencer and Brennah Dutcher and had three stolen bases. After Grosser, Graybill and Dutcher recorded thefts.

Spencer turned in another solid outing. She struck out six and walked none in five innings.

Highlands returns to action Monday at Simon Kenton. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Baseball:

Highlands 10, Boone County 5:

Cincinnati Anderson 3, Highlands 0:

The Bluebirds (13-12) split their games at Boone County on Saturday.

Highlands beat the Rebels for the second time this season to open the day. They outhit the hosts, 13-10 as Todd Ramey and Jake Whitford hit home runs.

Highlands scored four in the first inning then put the game away with four in the seventh. The Rebels cut the advantage to 4-3 with two in the third.

Ben Vermeil started the game and Jake Liggett finished.

Things did not go as well in the second game against the Redskins. They were shut out for the first time this year.

Highlands travels to Bishop Brossart on Monday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic 1, Whitefield Academy 0:

Newport Central Catholic 8, Muhlenberg County 0:

The Thoroughbreds snapped a three-game losing streak with two wins Saturday in the Louisville Invitational Tournament.

In the first game against the Whitefield Academy Wildcats out of Louisville, the Wildcats outhit the Thoroughbreds, 5-4. The lone run of the game came in the fourth in the form of a Connor Bartels home run.

Jake Yeager pitched the first four innings to pick up the win for NewCath. Tommy Donnelly pitched the next three to record the save striking out three.

The Thoroughbreds finished the day dominating the Mustangs from western Kentucky. NewCath won the hitting battle, 10-1 as Colin DuPont and Nick Seibert combined for the one-hitter striking out a combined six.

The Thoroughbreds led 2-0 after two innings. But they scored three in the third and another three in the fourth to put the game away.

DuPont, Alex Grau, Pete Collopy and Josh Cain led NewCath with two hits each. Cain homered and doubled on his way to three RBI and two runs scored. DuPont and Zach Pangallo added doubles.

NewCath takes on Lloyd Memorial at 5:15 p.m. Monday.

Highlands baseball, softball teams nip NewCath by similar scores

 

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands pitcher Joey Cochran delivers to the plate while catcher Quentin Murray and Newport Central Catholic batter Colin DuPont wait. The Bluebirds won the crucial 36th District contest, 4-3 in extra innings.

 

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The baseball team that successfully executed its suicide squeeze attempt Thursday won the extra-inning barnburner.

That turned out to be the Highlands Bluebirds in the 36th District game at Highland Park, 4-3 over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds in 13 innings. Barring upsets, the win gave the Bluebirds (12-11 overall, 3-0 district) the inside track toward the top seed in the district tournament and the Thoroughbreds (11-8, 2-1) the second seed. Both teams still need to face Bellevue in district play.

“On the offensive side, we haven’t made those big plays,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. “If teams execute better offensively early on, the game is over before we get to the 13th inning, especially for us. We missed some sacrifice bunts, didn’t push the ball the other way when we needed to and a couple base running mistakes cost us from winning the game earlier. You have to execute when you play good teams like NewCath and every run is huge.”

The two-time defending 9th Region champion Thoroughbreds had been playing great baseball lately. They’d won 9-of-11 coming into the contest after starting the year 0-4.

“We’re disappointed,” said Jeff Schulkens, NewCath Head Coach. “We didn’t execute. But give (the Bluebirds) credit. I’m proud of my kids. They’ll battle back.”

Highlands senior catcher Quentin Murray found himself on both ends of the suicide squeeze attempts. He laid down the game-winning bunt in the bottom of the 13th to score Hector Molina. Molina charged toward home plate as NewCath pitcher Michael Bueter fired the pitch home.

“Honestly, I was trying to get the bat on the ball more than anything else,” Murray said. “I tried to stay off the plate. It was a long game.”

Murray made two huge plays in the top of the inning as catcher when the Thoroughbreds tried to take the lead on the similar play. Alex Grau tried to bunt home Colin DuPont. The attempt popped up behind home plate. Murray caught it and threw to shortstop Jake Whitford, who tagged out DuPont for the double play.

“That was huge because I knew they were going to squeeze,” Murray said. “I honestly thought they were going to get it down. It was supposed to be a pitch-out. It went too far inside so (Grau) popped it up.”

Both teams had opportunities to score in extra frames. The Thoroughbreds loaded the bases in the ninth with none out against Joey Cochran, but did not score as Highlands forced the runners out at home before Whitford made a nice play diving and tagging second to end the threat.

NewCath nearly took the lead in the ninth. Nick Seibert singled to right and Zach Pangallo tried to score. But the Bluebirds executed and Murray tagged Pangallo out at the plate.

“We’ve pitched well and played good defense all year even when we’ve moved guys around,” Baioni said. “That continued (Thursday). We made some big plays.”

On the other side, Highlands loaded the based with two outs in the 11th. But Whitford grounded out.

The Thoroughbreds led 2-0 in the first. Dom Pangallo was hit by a pitch and Josh Cain homered.

But the Bluebirds came back to tie it in the second. Whitford doubled and Todd Ramey singled him in. Ramey then scored on an error.

The Thoroughbreds retook the lead in the third. Dom Pangallo singled and ultimately scored when Kevin Hoffstedder hit a sacrifice fly to center.

The Bluebirds came back to tie it in the fifth. Gabe Schultz singled and ultimately scored when Whitford hit a sacrifice fly to center.

Joseph Martin pitched three innings to record the win for Highlands. He struck out five. Mitch Jones threw the first four innings before Cochran threw the next six.

“We just go out there and throw strikes,” Martin said. “We trust our defense to make plays. We just have to go out there and do our best.”

Bueter took the tough loss pitching more than five innings and struck out seven. Starter Connor Bartels pitched the first seven innings.

NewCath outhit Highlands, 13-12. Grau, Dom Pangallo, Cain, DuPont and Seibert all had two hits each for the Thoroughbreds. Aside from Cain’s home run, Pete Collopy and DuPont doubled.

Murray went 3-for-6 at the plate for the hosts. Molina, Schultz and Ramey all had two hits each for Highlands with Schultz, Murray and Whitford recording doubles.

The Thoroughbreds return to action this weekend in the Louisville Invitational Tournament. They take on Louisville Butler at 6 p.m.

“Anytime you play, you want to win,” Schulkens said. “You shake it off and try to get better. You especially want to win district seed games. But we’ll be fine. It’s a good group of kids who know how to win.”

The Bluebirds play two games at Boone County on Saturday. They face the hosts at 10 a.m. and Cincinnati Anderson at 12:30 p.m.

Highlands softball 4, NCC 3:

The Bluebirds (8-5) bested the Thoroughbreds (7-10) for the second time this year, but in seven innings. Highlands beat NewCath by the same score on April 9.

Highlands scored all four of its runs in the fifth.

Payton Leighty singled and moved to third when Bailey Spencer singled before scoring when Haley Coffey laid down a sacrifice bunt. Spencer then scored after three consecutive walks and Brennah Dutcher had a two-run single.

Spencer pitched a complete game to pick up the victory for Highlands. She struck out six and walked two.

Sarah Neace threw a complete game for NewCath. She struck out five and walked three.

NewCath outhit Highlands, 8-5. Kristin Schreiber went 2-for-4 with a run batted in and Neace went 2-for-3 with Molly Mertle doubling.

No one had more than two hits for the Bluebirds. Whitney Quillen tripled and Dutcher had two RBIs.

Both teams return to action today. Highlands plays host to Covington Holmes at 5:30 p.m. and the Thoroughbreds play host to Dayton at 5 p.m.

Tuesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team (7-5) played an annual 9^th Region contender tough Tuesday falling 4-2 to Conner.

The Bluebirds take on Covington Holy Cross back in Fort Thomas at 5 p.m. today.

Newport Central Catholic softball 15, Covington Holmes 2:

The Thoroughbreds (7-9) snapped a four-game losing streak with a win Tuesday.

NewCath took advantage of 14 walks and three hit batsmen in the five-inning contest. The Thoroughbreds had two hits, boy by Morgan Martini.

NewCath travels to Highlands on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Conner baseball 7, Highlands 2:

The Thoroughbreds (11-7) lost on the road Tuesday.

The Cougars took a 3-0 lead in the fifth before the Thoroughbreds scored two in the sixth. Conner added four insurance runs in the sixth.

NewCath managed just five hits. Josh Cain led the way going 2-for-4 with a double. Pete Collopy added the other double.

Josh Yeager took the loss for the Thoroughbreds. He pitched five innings striking out three and walking three.

NewCath travels to Highlands on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Monday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team moved back to .500 with a 12-2 win over the Dayton Greendevils on Monday.

Highlands (11-11) moved to 2-0 in 36th District action as Joseph Martin tallied the pitching win. He is 3-0 overall.

Todd Ramey led the Bluebirds at the plate going 3-for-3 with a double, home run and five runs batted in. Mitch Gesenhues and Lou Bunning both went 2-for-2 with two RBI as well.

Highlands plays host to Cincinnati St. Xavier on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m.

All “A” Sectional:

Newport Central Catholic 4, Bishop Brossart 3:

The Thoroughbreds (11-6) advanced in the All “A” State Tournament with a Sectional win Monday.

NewCath advanced to the state tournament on May 4-5 at Whitaker Bank Park in Lexington. The Thoroughbreds face Glasgow at 10 a.m. in the first quarterfinal game.

Josh Cain picked up the win for NewCath. He pitched into the seventh before Connor Bartels pitched the last two outs to record the save.

The Thoroughbreds recorded six hits. Pete Collopy led the way going 2-for-3 with two doubles. Alex Grau and Zach Pangallo also had doubles and Cain tripled in two runs.

The Thoroughbreds take on Conner at 5 p.m. tonight.

Softball:

Highlands 11, Cooper 5:

The Bluebirds (7-4) won their second in a row Monday.

Payton Leighty picked up the win for Highlands on the mound. Haley Coffey led the Bluebirds at the plate going 2-for-3.

The Bluebirds take on Conner at 5 p.m. today in Fort Thomas.

Ryle 3, Newport Central Catholic 0:

The Thoroughbreds (6-9) lost their fourth straight Monday in Union.

Sarah Neace pitches six inning and allowed just one hit. But the Lady Raiders scored three runs in the fourth off Thoroughbred errors. NewCath committed six miscues to one for Ryle. Neace struck out four and walked nine.

Ali Crupper went the distance for Ryle. She struck out 13 and walked none.

Casey Kohls led NewCath at the plate going 3-for-3 with a double.

NewCath takes on Covington Holmes at home at 5 p.m. today.

Saturday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team lost both game Saturday in the Doc Morris Invitational.

They lost 4-0 to Boyle County before losing 8-6 to Campbell County. Joey Cochran (3-1) and Lou Bunning (0-1) took the pitching losses for the Bluebirds.

Highlands takes on Dayton in 36th District action Monday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Newport Central Catholic baseball 12, Danville 4:

The Thoroughbreds (10-6) got back on the winning track with a win Saturday at Dixie Heights in the Doc Morris Tournament.

Michael Bueter picked up the win for the Thoroughbreds and Nick Seibert saved it. Bueter pitched into the fourth striking out four and walking three. Seibert struck out three and walked three.

NewCath led 3-1 after the third before scoring four more to go up 7-1. The Admirals scored three in the fifth to trim the margin to 8-4 before the Thoroughbreds scored four insurance runs in the seventh.

NewCath outhit Danville, 15-7. The Thoroughbreds saw four players record two or more hits. Alex Grau led the way going 3-for-5 with a double, three runs batted in and three runs scored. Brandon Gray followed going 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs batted in and three runs scored. Zach Pangallo went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored and Connor Bartels went 2-for-3.

The Thoroughbreds pounded out seven doubles. Jake Pangallo, Josh Cain, Dom Pangallo and JB Williams also had doubles for NewCath.

NewCath faces Bishop Brossart in an All “A” Sectional Tournament game Monday. Game time is 5 p.m.

NewCath Softball loses two:

The Thoroughbreds (6-8) managed just two hits combined in losing both games across the Ohio River on Saturday.

The lost the first game to host Cincinnati McNicholas, 6-2 in five innings. Lady Rocket pitcher Abby Jones threw a one-hitter.

Taylor Burkart had the lone hit for the Thoroughbreds. It was a two-out two-hit single to center field.

NewCath then lost 6-0 to Cincinnati Indian Hill in five innings. Ally Hermes threw the one-hitter for Indian Hill.

NewCath’s lone hit came in the fifth inning. Loren Zimmerman broke up the no-hitter with a single.

The Thoroughbreds travel to Ryle on Monday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Thursday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds softball team will play for the 9th Region All “A” crown today after edging the Covington Holy Cross Lady Indians, 11-9 Thursday.

The Thoroughbreds (6-5) trailed 8-7 in the bottom of the fifth. But they scored three in that frame before adding another in the sixth to go up 11-8.

Haley Meyers again picked up the pitching win for NewCath. She moved to 2-1.

NewCath banged out 11 hits. Casey Kohls led the way going 2-for-3 with a triple and run batted in with Loren Zimmerman going 2-for-4 with two triples and three RBI. Kristin Schreiber followed going 2-for-4 with two doubles and Morgan Martino added two runs batted in.

Holy Cross had 12 hits and five errors. Madyson Moran led the way going 4-for-4 with a single, double, two triples and an RBI.

The Thoroughbreds take on either Newport or St. Henry at 5:30 p.m.

Dixie Heights baseall 7, Newport Central Catholic 3:

The Thoroughbreds saw their seven-game winning streak snapped in the opener of the Doc Morris Tournament on Thursday.

The Colonels put seven runs on the scoreboard in the fourth inning before the Thoroughbreds (9-6) responded with three in the fifth.

Dixie Heights outhit NewCath, 7-6. Josh Cain and Zach Pangallo led the way going 2-for-3.

The Colonels recorded five extra-base hits. Garrett Combs doubled and tripled with Nick King adding two doubles and Seth Caple also tallying a two-bagger.

Tommy Donnelly took the pitching loss for NewCath. He struck out one and walked seven in 3 and a 1/3 innings pitched before Colin Dupont relieved him.

Nick Niehaus struck out eight in a complete game. He walked four and allowed just two earned runs.

The Thoroughbreds continue tournament play at Dixie Heights against Danville tonight at 8:15 p.m.