The Highlands Bluebirds and Ryle Raiders softball teams won one game out of three in the cold in the Dan Cummins Classic at Great Crossing Park in Georgetown against tough competition. The teams are 2-4 on the season.
Highlands opened the day with an 8-0 loss to Collins in four innings. An inning could not start after one hour, 25 minutes into the game. Highland stayed in it until the fourth inning when Collins pulled away with six runs outhitting the Bluebirds, 8-2. Highlands had four errors.
Highlands had one extra-base hit. Junior first baseman Carly Cramer had it with a double.
But the Bluebirds came back and pounded Lexington Catholic, 13-4 in what Highlands Head Coach Milt Horner called the team’s most complete game of the season. The Bluebirds batted .500 (15 for 30) at the plate. Cramer led the way going 4 for 4 with two doubles, two runs batted in and two runs scored.
“I think it was definitely a confidence boost,” Cramer said. “We absolutely crushed the ball. (Lexington Catholic) threw three different pitchers that game switching almost every inning. Our defense was also pretty good. But our swings definitely won that game.”
Junior pitcher Kennedy Baioni homered during the game and picked up the win striking out one and allowing five walks and just three hits in five innings. She is 2-1 on the season.
Senior shortstop Anna Greenwell went 3 for 4 with one double, three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore catcher Michelle Barth went 2 for 4 with two doubles, three RBI and one run scored. Eighth grade left fielder Payton Brown went 2 for 3 and eighth grade second baseman Morgan Pompilio doubled and scored three times.
“We did a good job of keeping the pressure on them the whole game,” Horner said. “I think considering we had four games in 24 hours with a pretty small group of girls, we were pretty pleased with what we did.”
But Highlands concluded the day with a 15-2 loss to Woodford County in four innings. The Yellow Jackets scored 10 times in the top of the first taking advantage of five Highlands errors. They outhit the Bluebirds, 11-8.
Cramer, Pompilio and Barth had two hits each for Highlands. Barth and Cramer had the RBIs with Pompilio and Greenwell scoring the runs. Cramer also stole one base.
Highlands faces Newport on Monday at Winkler Field. Game time is 5 p.m.
Ryle lost the first two games against Anderson County, 12-2 in four innings then Collins, 8-0 in five innings. Anderson County outhit, Ryle 11-5. Freshman catcher Laney Schuster had a double and two RBI for the Raiders.
Collins outhit Ryle, 8-2. Junior catcher Payton Godfrey and first baseman Lerin Moreland had doubles for the Raiders.
But Ryle finished the day with a 19-0 win over Altamont (Illinois). The Raiders batted an impressive .563 (18 for 32).
“We faced good pitching. Defensively, we have to button it up,” said Jarret Goddard, Ryle Head Coach. “Finally the sticks came out and we hit well that last game. We have to move on from there.”
Godfrey led the way going 3 for 4 with one double, three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore pitcher Madison Goddard went 3 for 3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Senior second baseman/center fielder Grace Morgan went 2 for 4 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Junior shortstop Avery Parsons went 3 for 4 with one triple, one double, two RBI and three runs scored. Schuster went 2 for 3 with a double and RBI. Roland and senior right fielder Anna Prince added doubles. Prince scored twice and batted in three.
Madison Goddard (2-2) and eighth grader Raegan Smith combined to no-hit Altamont. Madison Goddard threw three innings striking out four and allowing just one walk and Smith pitched the fourth inning.
Ryle plays Bishop Brossart on Tuesday. Game time is 5 p.m.
Scott Drops Two in Bath County:
The Eagles are 4-3 after losing twice in the C.S.I. Lady Cat Invitational. Innings could not start after one hour, 15 minutes.
They dropped a 12-5 decision to Greenup County in the first game despite recording nine hits to eight for the Musketeers in three innings. Sophomore second baseman Ivy Cochran led Scott going 2 for 2 with one run scored. Senior third baseman Riley Reeves doubled and junior right fielder Kayla Overman had a triple.
Scott then lost to Bath County, 13-4 in four innings. The Lady Cats outhit the Eagles, 11-5. Junior shortstop Audrey Griffin led Scott going 2 for 2 with one double, one RBI and one run scored. Freshman center fielder Elise Manhardt tripled and Overman added a double.
Scott takes on Dayton (1-1) on Monday. Game time is 5 p.m.
Region 6 Archery Results:
The Ryle Boys and Simon Kenton girls won the region championship at Simon Kenton on Friday and Saturday.
The Ryle boys scored 1,967 points beating runner-up Simon Kenton and third-place Highlands, who scored 1,912 and 1,902 respectively. Ryle sophomore Jacob Klette won the individual crown shooting 287 edging Highlands freshman Ashton Willis by a point.
The Simon Kenton girls shot 1,930 to win the region crown. Dixie Heights came in second with 1,911 points. Three individuals shot 289 to tie for the top spot individually in Highlands senior Madison Opitz, Simon Kenton freshman Lauren Westermeyer and Conner sophomore Alexis Hunt. Westermeyer and Hunt shot 20 10s compared to 19 for Opitz.
The state tournament takes place in the Ephram White Gymnasium in Bowling Green on April 19. The boys 5th Region starts at 12:30 p.m. EST and the girls start an hour later.
March 26, 27 NKY Baseball Scores:
Bracken County 3, Calvary Christian 2
Pendleton County 8, Ludlow 4
Villa Madonna 8, Dayton 5
Bracken County 14, Villa Madonna 7
Other March 26 NKY Softball Scores:
Henry Clay 12, Bishop Brossart 0 (4 innings)
Trimble County 15, Ludlow 0 (3 innings)
Christian Academy-Louisville 9, Boone County 6
Western Hills 9, Boone County 6