Both head coaches agreed neither team put great contact on the ball in the rivalry game at Newport’s Ralph Mussman Recreation Complex.
But that’s not a surprise when the starting pitchers consistently hit their spots and dictate the game. The starters gave both the Bishop Brossart Mustangs (6-5) and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (3-3) a chance until the end.
The difference came down to errors in this 7-1 Brossart rivalry win. Brossart scored four unearned runs off six NewCath errors and NewCath did not score any off the lone Mustang error.
“The pitching was good. Their pitcher shut us down,” said Ron Verst, Brossart head coach. “They get up for these games. They grew up with these kids. It’s a good win. But we have to keep getting better. That’s all it is for us.”
Senior lefty Evan Moore (2-0) pitched a complete game for the Mustangs. He threw 94 pitches striking out 10, walking one and allowing just one earned run.
“I think it was just taking care of business, knowing where we are in the lineup and pitching like I should every game,” Moore said. “I think being a lefty has its perks. It’s been tough always being different from everyone else. But it’s definitely given me an advantage on the mound.”
Moore also recorded the game’s lone multi-hit game going 2 for 3 with two runs scored and one batted in. The Mustangs batted .185 (5 for 27) overall.
Junior Noah Ohradzansky (0-1) pitched six innings for the Thoroughbreds striking out four, walking five and allowing two earned runs. Junior Aiden Ewing pitched the seventh for NewCath.
NewCath batted just .167 (4 for 24) as a team. Junior third baseman Connor Seiter had a double for the game’s lone extra-base hit.
“A lot of credit to Brossart. I knew they’d come in here fired up coming off a loss,” said Jeff Martin, NewCath head coach. “That’s still no excuse. We have a lot of missing pieces to the puzzle we have to figure out. That’s what the season is going to be – getting these kids a lot of reps and hopefully, we can get better by the end of the season.”
The Mustangs scored the game’s first two runs in the top of the third. Senior first baseman Robbie Verst singled and came around to score on Moore’s single. Moore wound up at second on the throw home before stealing third then scoring on a NewCath error.
Brossart added two more with two out in the top of the sixth. Senior third baseman Brandon Bezold singled before senior left fielder Sam Willike and sophomore Ben Volmer walked to load the bases. Bezold scored on a wild pitch before senior Derek Martin singled in Willike to make it 4-0 Mustangs.
NewCath cut the margin to 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth when sophomore right fielder Ian Mann scored on a wild pitch. Seiter tried to take third when the ball bounced away from senior catcher Colin Combs. But Combs recovered quickly and threw Seiter out at third. Moore then struck out junior left fielder Kolton Smith to end the inning.
“That was huge,” Combs said. “That took us into the top of seventh with some momentum there. We took it and rolled with it.”
The Mustangs added three runs in the top of the seventh. The first three batters walked to load the bases. After a force play at home for the first out, Bezold landed a sacrifice bunt to score Moore. Combs and junior center fielder Alex Amin then scored on NewCath errors to make the final score.
“It takes the pressure off,” Coach Verst said. “You can now try to get outs. It let them relax a bit.”
Brossart plays host to Bellevue (2-6) at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. NewCath travels to Pendleton County (1-7-1) at 5:30 p.m.
Cooper 9, George Rogers Clark 5
The Jaguars (2-5) pulled off a huge win at the Cardinals (9-3) pounding out 13 hits in 35 at bats for a .371 batting average.
Junior shortstop Mark Nowak led the way going 3 for 4 with three doubles and two RBI. Senior Logan Dean went 2 for 4 with two RBI and junior designated hitter Logan Farmer went 2 for 4. Senior third baseman James Crowe doubled with junior center fielder Connor Robinson scoring twice.
Junior pitcher Grady Kreidler (1-0) started and earned the win pitching into the sixth inning striking out three and walking three to go with one earned run. Dean pitched an inning before junior Andrew Ketron retired the final two batters in the seventh to earn his first save this season.
Cooper plays Conner (8-1) at Thomas More Stadium at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Other Baseball Scores
Eaton (Ohio) 5, Highlands 1
Troy (Ohio) 3, Highlands 1
Ryle 10, Boone County 0 (5 innings)
Conner 11, Dixie Heights 3
Holy Cross 12, Holmes 0 (6 innings)
Ludlow 1, Calvary Christian 0
Scott 6, Villa Madonna 2
Softball Scores
Highlands 8, Pleasure Ridge Park 6
Highlands 7, Ashland Blazer 2
Bishop Brossart 20, St. Henry 0 (3 innings)
Cooper 2, Bracken County 0
East Jessamine 9, Dixie Heights 2
Carroll County 16, Ludlow 1 (3 innings)
Notre Dame 3, Boone County 2 (9 innings)