More local games cancelled

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Mother Nature once again did not allow a number of games to be played Wednesday.

The Highlands baseball team had a game scheduled at Conner. The next scheduled contest for the 1-2 Bluebirds is Friday at 5 p.m. against Walton-Verona.

The Newport Central Catholic softball team had a game scheduled at Scott and the baseball team was to play host to Woodford County. The softball team faces Notre Dame at 5 p.m. today and the baseball team does not play again until April 26 at home against Ryle at 5 p.m.

NewCath baseball, softball hopes to take steps forward

 

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic pitcher Nick Seibert fires to the plate in a recent scrimmage while first baseman Jake Pangallo gets in position. The Thoroughbreds have won the last two 9th Region titles.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is a story of a team with unfinished business.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds baseball team owns a stellar 51-27-1 record over the last two seasons with consecutive 9th Region crowns. NewCath would not mind three-peating as region champs then going another step if not a few more further than what they’ve gone in the state tournament.

The Thoroughbreds have lost in the state quarterfinals the past two years. They dropped a tough 1-0 decision to eventual state runner-up Henderson County in nine innings last year after dropping a 10-4 decision to Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park in the same round in 2011.

Vetetan NewCath Head Coach Jeff Schulkens and staff welcome back seven starters last year’s squad that finished 25-17-1 overall. Schulkens is entering his 18th year as head coach.

“We started conditioning on Oct. 15 and we’ve been going three days a week until we started practice in February,” Schulkens said. “The kids have a goal. They want to win region again and compete for a state title. It’s always tough. We have good teams. We have to be playing our best in May to win another region title.”

The seven returning starters for the Thoroughbreds are seniors. The returning leading hitters are pitcher/outfielder Josh Cain and infielder Pete Collopy. Cain hit .370 last year with three home runs and Collopy batted about .315-.320.

“We’ve put a big emphasis on senior leadership,” Collopy said. “We have a lot of people coming back so we’re really confident. Everyone has an equal shot at playing time regardless if they’re a senior or not.”

The other returning infielders are Colin DuPont, Alex Grau and Connor Bartels. Dom Pangallo returns in the outfield and Kevin Hoffstedder returns to play catcher. Grau can also catch and Bartels could also play the outfield or pitch.

The Thoroughbreds graduated three starters from last year in Brady Hightchew, Nick Woltermann and Andy Miller. Hightchew took his talents to Shawnee State in Portsmouth, Ohio. Hightchew often led off with Woltermann batting third and Miller fifth.

The Thoroughbreds have a number of other players that could also make a difference. The other two seniors are infielder Michael Bueter and outfielder Nick Seibert.

“On any given day, anyone can win,” Schulkens said. “We’ve talked from day one about getting better every day. We also talked about doing all the little things right. We have the talent to have a good year. We have to do all the little things right to have a great year.”

The roster also consists of six juniors. They are infielder Jake Yeager, outfielder Kole Zenni, infielder John Caudill, outfielder Tommy Donnelly, infielder Mitch Pangallo and infielder/outfielder Jake Pangallo.

A pair of sophomores rounds out the 17-player roster. They are infielder Brandon Gray and infielder Zach Pangallo.

Pitching depth is needed to take teams deep into the tournament. The Thoroughbreds have 10 players that could contribute in that department this year. They are Cain, Bartels, Seibert, Mitch Pangallo, Bueter, Yeager, Gray, Caudill, Donnelly and Zach Pangallo.

“It’s early in the season. I’m just trying to throw strikes,” Cain said. “We’re not throwing many off-speed pitches or curves yet. Coach (Schulkens) usually calls the pitches. We have a lot of guys that threw decent. I think our pitching can be scary good once we’re all on top of our potential this year.”

The Thoroughbreds opened the season with losses to Lexington Catholic and Louisville Trinity on Saturday. They face Woodford County at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Freedom Field.

NCC Softball looks to surprise:

The Thoroughbreds enter their eighth season as a program fresh off their fourth district title.

NewCath finished 20-14 last year and won the 36th District crown. The Thoroughbreds then turned some heads by knocking off Notre Dame, 9-4 for their first 9th Region win since 2008 and just their second region win in school history.

“Last year, we weren’t expected to win anything and ended up winning 20 games,” said Denny Barnes, NewCath head coach. “This is one of the funnest teams I’ve had to coach and the reason for that is no drama. Coaching girls, you normally have some drama. This team is ready to play.”

NewCath graduated three seniors from that team. They were center fielder Paige Immgard, right fielder Meghan Milfard and first baseman Rachel Hardesty.

Barnes welcomes back six starters from that team. Senior Christine Enzweller is the lone returning starting outfielder in left field. The only other senior listed on the roster is outfielder Madison Ballard.

The preseason has seen a lot of cold days meaning a lot of practices have been indoors. That has caused opponents to cancel many games early.

“We can’t wait to get outside,” Enzweller said. “It’s hard practicing (indoors) because we can’t get in the dirt.”

Four sophomores return after starting as freshmen last year in catcher Kristin Schreiber, shortstop Michaela Ware, third baseman Loren Zimmerman and second baseman Casey Kohls. Kohls batted .439 last year to lead the team and Ware hit .345.

“Even though we’re a young team, we have the potential to beat any team,” Burkhart said. “We lost part of our outfield from last year so we have to adjust to that. We also don’t have a left-handed batter this year so we have to adjust to that more.”

Junior Taylor Burkhart and sophomore Sarah Neace could share the pitching load. Neace finished last year with a record of 11-4.

The roster consists of 14 players total. Juniors Molly Mertle and Amanda Schabell could battle for playing time in the infield and sophomore Morgan Martini could battle for playing time in the outfield. Freshmen battling to contribute are infielders Aliva Gross, Alexa Kehoe and Amber Griese.

A sign of the growth of the program comes with the start of a freshman team. Barnes said that team has 18 players this year.

NewCath is scheduled to open the season today at 5 p.m. at Bellevue.

More postponements

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Another cold winter day meant no action once again for the Highlands Bluebirds softball team.

The Bluebirds were scheduled to take on Ludlow to open the season Monday then travel to Cooper on Tuesday. Both games have been postponed. The next scheduled game for Highlands is Thursday at Dayton at 5 p.m.

The Highlands baseball team was to face Holmes on Tuesday. That game will also not be played. The Bluebirds travel to Conner for a 5 p.m. game today.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds softball team was also scheduled to open against Bellevue. That game was also postponed. NewCath is scheduled to travel to Scott for a 5 p.m. contest today.

Highlands goes 1-2 at Lawrence County

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team started the season 1-2 with three games at Lawrence County on Saturday.

Highlands opened the season with a 3-2 loss in extra innings to the host Bulldogs. Jake Heck (0-1) took the loss for the Bluebirds.

Jake Whitford and Jake Lester turned in multi-hit games for Highlands. They both finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

Brandon Stevens picked up the win for Lawrence County. Ryan Kingsmore led the Bulldogs at the plate going 3-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored. Teammate Adam Cavins followed going 2-for-3 with a walk.

Highlands turned around and beat the Capital Cougars of Charleston, West Virginia, 13-6. Ben Vermeil (1-0) picked up the win for the Bluebirds.

Lester finished 2-for-2 with two walks reaching in all four plate appearances for Highlands. D.J. Mills followed going 2-for-3 with a double, walk and three RBI with Hector Molina going 2-for-4. Colin “Frog” Seidl added two walks, three runs and two stolen bases for Highlands with Quentin Murray and Whitford scoring two runs each. Whitford added two walks and Gabe Schultz had a triple.

Highlands concluded the day with a 3-1 loss to the Prestonsburg Blackcats. Kenny Ball (0-1) took the loss for the Bluebirds.

Highlands returns to action Monday at 5 p.m. The Bluebirds face the Holmes Bulldogs to open 9th Region action.

NewCath baseball drops two in Lexington:

The Thoroughbreds opened their season Saturday with two lopsided losses at Lexington Catholic All-Catholic Tournament.

The host Knights handed the Thoroughbreds a 9-0 defeat to open the season. NewCath recorded just one hit by Josh Cain.

On the other side, the Knights had just four hits but took advantage of seven NewCath walks and two errors. They scored six earned runs.

Connor Bartels took the loss for the Thoroughbreds. He allowed struck out three and allowed just one hit and two earned runs in three innings.

The Thoroughbreds then lost 16-6 to the Trinity Shamrocks. Cain took the loss for NewCath. He pitched three innings allowing just one earned run to go with four walks and one strikeout.

The game actually stayed close until the sixth inning. NewCath trailed just 7-6 entering the fifth when the Shamrocks scored four runs before adding six more in the sixth.

Cain, Mitch Pangallo and Zach Pangallo all had two hits each for the Thoroughbreds. Cain scored twice and had two RBI.

Nolan May recorded the win for Trinity. Justin Howard, Tyler Marshall, Hill Connor, Tyler Hunt, Bobby Graven and Brady Pfaadt had two hits each for the Shamrocks. The outhit the Thoroughbreds, 15-9.

NewCath plays host to Woodford County on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Freedom Park.

Reflecting on the Winter

 



By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

As we transition into the spring, I feel it’s time to reflect on the winter.

The season-ending defeats for the four basketball teams were difficult. But the players on the Highlands and Newport Central Catholic basketball teams can hopefully look back on the season one day and reflect on many good times.

The Highlands girls had a very successful season going 26-8 before losing in the 9th Region championship to Notre Dame. The 26 wins are the most since Jaime Walz-Richey became head coach in 2002. It also marked their first appearance in the title game since 2002.

The six seniors played great roles in leading Highlands back to that point and will be missed. They are Leah Schaefer, Jesse “Dirt” Daley, Emilie Parton, Ava Abner, Vanessa Fisse and Kelsey Clark.

Highlands can also reflect on its first District 36 crown since 2008. Schaefer let out a memorable scream after the Bluebirds pounded Newport to win that title.

The Bluebirds do return a good nucleus for next season. They return freshman starters Brianna Adler and Haley Coffey. Players like Tomi Blanton, Whitney Quillen, Alex Combs, McKenzie Leigh and Lydia Graves should be ready to contribute more once next winter comes around.

Highlands also did win the Conner Christmas Holiday Tournament. The Bluebirds downed Pleasure Ridge Park to capture the crown.

The NewCath boys put together a phenomenal season at 30-3. That included separate 12 and 18-game winning streaks.

The Thoroughbreds won another 36th District crown before falling to 9th Region champion and eventual state quarterfinalist Holmes in the first round of the region tournament. Holmes lost to eventual state champion Madison Central. NewCath also won the Ashland Invitational Tournament.

Even though the Kentucky High School Athletic Association may not recognize it, the Thoroughbreds are state champions in my book with the All “A” crown. This is a reason I wish the state would go to classes like every surrounding state does. But that is a topic for another time.

NewCath will return starters Drew McDonald, Jake Schulte and Zach Pangallo next year. The Thoroughbreds will still be tall with McDonald and Schulte at 6-foot-6-inches and 6-8. Ben Weyer will be seasoned at 6-4. If NewCath develops a stronger outside game, another great season could be in store.

NewCath does graduate Michael Bueter, Nick Seibert, Colin Dupont, Brennan Devoto and Jake Haas. But other players will be ready to step in.

The NewCath girls also had a good season finishing 20-10. That is pretty good for a young team and a young head coach in George Stoll. NewCath finished All “A” runner-up to Owensboro Catholic. They lost to Highlands in the district semifinals as a result of the blind draw.

Like their male counterparts, they also need to shoot better from outside. But players like Stephanie Lewis, Ansley Davenport and Michaela Ware have shown they can do it. That will free things up down low for Nikki Kiernan and Alexus Mayes.

NewCath graduates just one senior in Jillian Hoover. She unfortunately played just once because of an Anterior Cruciated Ligament injury.

The Highlands boys improved from the previous year at 12-16. But the Bluebirds were playing their best basketball of the season at the end and gave a great effort in the district semifinal loss to NewCath.

Gone are four seniors in Luke Turner, Bailey Witte, Karl Hinkel and Jake Gronotte. On Monday, head coach Mike Flynn also announced he will not be back after four seasons.

The new head coach will have some talent to work with. The Bluebirds return Nick True and Drew Houliston along with promising players like Parker Harris and Jensen Feggins.

Debut Delayed

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team was supposed to play Campbell County at home to open the season Wednesday.

Excessive cold and snow forced a cancellation of the game. No make-up date has been scheduled at this time.

Thus, the debut of new head coach Rob Coffey has been delayed until Monday. Highlands plays host to Ludlow at 5 p.m.

Working on the Coach's Vision

G. Michael Graham Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds softball team scrimmages Saturday at the high school. The Bluebirds graduated just one player from last year's team and have a new head coach in Rob Coffey.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

If the players take the enthusiasm their head coach has displayed since taking the job in September, great things could be in store for the Highlands Bluebirds softball program.

Rob Coffey took the job in the fall and began working on those big visions. He wants the Bluebirds to not only compete for the 36th District and 9th Region titles, but also state championships.

“The attitude and excitement around the program has been outstanding,” Coffey said. “The players are focused and absorbing everything we are teaching them. They are attending every practice with a business-like approach. The parents are extremely supportive and we have an absolute great group of families from top to bottom. It’s very exciting to be a part of right now.”

The development of fastpitch youth softball leagues in Cambpell County is starting to catch up to Boone County. Coffey wants to see more girls play outside the season. Two years ago, only two players did that. But this year, eight of the nine starters own at least two years of experience playing competitive summer softball and a number of the younger players are playing on competitive teams as well. Coffey said 20-25 players have been working out with the team and a personal trainer in the offseason.

The Bluebirds graduated just one player off last year’s team that finished 10-19 overall losing 8-2 to Newport Central Catholic in the 36th District semifinals in shortstop/second baseman Brooke Hollingsworth. She hit .404 on the season.

This year’s team has no seniors. Unlike what many may think, Coffey said that’s a good thing.

“It (lets) us create a two-year plan with the girls we currently have and we’re not rushing to turn the ship,” Coffey said. “We feel we have the potential to be very competitive this year, but also understand that it’s a journey and we are working toward it. All the girls have bought into the theory.”

Highlands batted .297 as a team last year. Coffey wants to see that number get into the .350 to .400 range. Freshman third baseman Shelby Graybill is the leading returning hitter. Graybill batted .427 with four home runs, 12 doubles, two triples with 21 runs scored and 10 walks.

The pitching staff received a boost a few weeks ago when freshman Bailey Spencer transferred in from Dixie Heights. Spencer and sophomore Payton Leighty will handle the pitching duties. Dixie Heights finished 20-14 last year and drove to the 9th Region semifinals.

Leighty was 6-12 with a 5.49 earned-run average, 50 strikeout and 48 walks. Leighty split the duties with Karly Hamberg last year. Hamberg decided not to come out this year. Coffey wants the ERAs to dip into the 2s.

“I think Bailey is going to be a good addition to the team,” Leighty said. “She’s really good with her speed and movement. I’m so different from her. We can switch it up and be one of the better teams in Northern Kentucky.”

The three returning juniors are Kendall Turner (outfield/first base), Ashley Grosser (center field/second base) and KC Broering (first base/outfield). Grosser batted .338 last year.

Highlands also lists three sophomores and four freshmen on the roster. After Leighty, the other two sophomores are Whitney Quillen (catcher/infielder) and Emily Johncox (outfield). Quillen batted .309 last year. The other freshmen after Graybill and Spencer are Haley Coffey (shortstop) and Brennah Dutcher (infield).

Highlands hopes to have a solid defense this year. Coach Coffey hopes for a solid hitting team. But he said the Bluebirds may do some small ball this year if that’s what it takes to win games.

“I think it’s coming along really well. We have a couple good hitters,” Graybill said. “We also have some good small-ball people. I can tell you we’ve worked a lot on fundamentals. There have been practices where we can’t come on the football field. We stay inside the whole two hours. We also have older girls working with younger girls.”

Defensively, Coach Coffey wants the girls to eliminate mental mistakes like not looking a runner back to second on a ground ball to third before throwing to first base. Good teams do not make those mistakes.

Kentucky lets seventh and eighth-graders play on the varsity level. One eighth-grader in Taylor Baioni (infielder/outfielder) and four seventh-graders in Miranda Mason (pitcher/infielder), Josie Daley (catcher/infielder), Alexis Conner (infielder) and Brooke Dill (infielder) are aiming to contribute this year.

The 36th District has had the blind draw in the past. The district will seed teams like the volleyball teams did in the fall.

The Bluebirds face Campbell County to open the season Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m. in Fort Thomas.