Highlands leaves CovCath feeling blue once again

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands first baseman Mark Walkenhorst (right) throws to pitcher Ricky Raisor (left) to record an out in the second inning in the 9th Region quarterfinal win over Covington Catholic. Highlands won 7-0.

It just takes the mention of four words to fire up the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team.

The Covington Catholic Colonels.

They happened to draw each other in the 9th Region quarterfinals Monday at University of Cincinnati Health Stadium. The Bluebirds (21-17 overall) took advantage of three early Colonel errors to build a nice lead and cruised to a 7-0 blanking.

Highlands one-hits way into 9th semifinals

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Taylor Baioni gets in position in Monday's game against Covington Holy Cross.

NEWPORT - When the ball does not leave the infield, the chances of winning the softball game skyrocket.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team (22-10 overall) played that well defensively in the 9-0 win over the Covington Holy Cross Lady Indians (14-14) on Monday in the 9th Region quarterfinals at Veterans Field. Highlands senior pitcher Bailey Spencer struck out 10 in the one-hit win and Highlands player error-free defense behind her. Highlands moved to 16-0 against the region this season.

Region baseball, softball tournaments start Monday

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Head Coach Rob Coffey has guided the Highlands softball team to a 15-0 mark in 9th Region action this season.

The 9th Region softball and baseball pairings have been set.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team (21-10 overall) is 15-0 against the region and opens the tournament Monday at 1 p.m. against Covington Holy Cross at Vets Field in Newport. The winner takes on either Dixie Heights or Boone County on Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.

Ladybirds finish runner-up in AA track and field

PHOTO: Bob Jackson. The Highlands two-mile relay team finished fourth in the Class AA state meet Friday. From left are seventh-grader Maggie Schroeder, junior Chloe Gastright, sophomore Karsen Hunter and senior Molly Mearns.

For the Highlands Ladybirds track and field squad, it marked the highest finish since the last of four straight state championships in 2011. The Bluebirds did not come close to winning another state championship, but they still finished fifth with 43.7 points Friday at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Highlands baseball, softball earn 36th District crowns

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior pitcher Bailey Spencer struck out 11 and retired the first nine batters in the 36th District championship game against Newport Central Catholic. Highlands won 2-1.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball and Ladybird softball teams finished what they'd done to 36th District opponents all season Thursday.

That is play solid defense. The Bluebirds (20-17 overall) took care of Newport Central Catholic, 5-0 at Bellevue for their fifth straight district championship and the Ladybirds (21-10) edged NewCath, 2-1 to win their third straight district crown. The Bluebirds have outscored district opponents, 44-0 on the season and the Ladybirds outscored district competition 76-1.

Highlands baseball, softball soundly advance to 36th title games

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior first baseman Brennah Dutcher makes a play in Tuesday's game against Newport.

Opponents from the 36th District had not scored any runs on either of the Highlands Bluebirds baseball or softball teams this season.

Highlands track teams claim Region 4 titles

The Highlands track teams won convincing Class 2A, Region 4 titles Friday at Pendleton County.

The Bluebirds ran away with 196 points besting second-place Lexington Catholic's 127 by 69 points. The Ladybirds tallied 181 points outdistancing Lexington Catholic by 28 points. None of the other seven teams scored triple digits.