Highlands freshman right fielder Kate Class was talking about her two-run single in Monday’s Ninth Region softball semifinal against Notre Dame when Bluebirds coach Milt Horner gleefully butted in.
“You did exactly what we taught you,” Horner said.
As a result, Highlands goes for its fourth straight title at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Bluebirds eliminated the Pandas, 2-1, and will face Holy Cross, which reached its first final in school history after upsetting Ryle, 2-1.
Highlands pitcher Kaitlyn Dixon called being the overwhelming favorite a “welcome pressure.”
“Because we know that it’s going to help us, and we’re feeding off it, and it’s building our confidence,” Dixon said.
Class’ single to left in the fourth inning off Notre Dame pitcher Abby Turnpaugh scored Morgan Pompilio and Dixon. Class said the pitch was definitely not a rise ball.
“I’m pretty sure it (was) a fastball,” she said.
Horner said every aspect of Class’ game has improved.
“She didn’t start playing softball until seventh grade, so she’s really only been playing softball for a little over 24 months,” Horner said. “And she’s earned a starting job, and she moved up … She’s done an absolutely fantastic job, and she’s so coachable.”
Monday ended Turnpaugh’s high school career. She set records for strikeouts and wins for the program, and she’s headed for Manhattan University in New York City.
“It’s been awesome,” Turnpaugh said. “I can’t thank the girls who came before me enough, who showed me what this program’s about. And I loved every minute of high school ball.”
Notre Dame coach Chris Schreiber said Turnpaugh lived up to the team motto – 100%, 100% of the time.
“And Abby is just, she’s an amazing kid,” Schreiber said. “She’s grown not only as a player, but as a person over these five years.”
Monday was also a duel between two of Northern Kentucky’s best high school pitchers. Turnpaugh struck out nine, and Dixon fanned eight.
“My gosh, I was so excited ‘cause it was the same thing that happened last year,” Dixon said, referring to 2024’s 6-2 win over the Pandas. “And I know we both wanted it, and our teams both wanted it.”
After Horner left, Class explained what she did.
“I was trying to lay off high (pitches) and just stay through my swing,” Class said.
Horner said it was a shorter swing.
“We preach, two strikes, get the ball in play, and she did exactly that,” Horner said.
Turnpaugh remembered Class’ social media posts.
“Oh, I see her videos on Instagram,” Turnpaugh said. “I got to see her Instagram hitting. I should’ve known, but it was a great game.”
Notre Dame (17-5) third baseman Ava Auberger tripled with one out into the sixth and scored on Turnpaugh’s grounder.
Morgan Russell opened Notre Dame’s seventh inning with a grounder to shortstop, Dixon struck out Lucy Dillon, and Brigid Zekl lined out to second.
Dixon was confident about Highlands (29-6) hoisting the trophy for a fourth consecutive time in two days.
“It’s never been done before, and I definitely think that we’re the team that can do it,” Dixon said. “We’ve been working for it for as long as I’ve been been playing high school ball.”
PHOTOS: Highlands takes down Notre Dame (provided by Charles Bolton)
HIGHLANDS 2, NOTRE DAME 1
HIGHLANDS 000 200 0 – 2 5 0
NOTRE DAME 000 010 0 – 1 5 1
Dixon and Brown; Turnpaugh and Zinser
WP-Dixon (22-2). LP-Turnpaugh (17-5).
Records: Highlands 29-6, Notre Dame 17-5.