When the hits started coming, the floodgates opened for the Simon Kenton Pioneers (5-3 overall). Simon Kenton snapped its two-game losing streak with a convincing, four-inning 16-0 run-ruling of the county rival Scott Eagles (5-4).
Simon Kenton did not score in the first innings. But the Pioneers put six on the board in the second, four in the third and six more in the fourth.
The Pioneers batted .481 (13 for 27) overall and took advantage of four Scott errors and eight wild pitches. Simon Kenton scored 12 earned runs in the win.
Sophomore pitcher Landrey Dance (3-1) threw a complete game picking up the win and Simon Kenton played error-free defense behind her. Dance struck out three and walked one.
“Landrey Dance has been pitching really well. I think she’s been a bit of a victim of the schedule we’ve played not that she’s giving up a lot of runs, but playing some good teams,” said Chris Young, Simon Kenton Head Coach. “We had a long defensive practice (Monday). It seemed to have worked (Tuesday). The girls did a good job of making sure we play through things. It’s something that we’ve been working on for a long time and it’s paid off.”
The Pioneers had been struggling with errors this season. But they made the routine plays this game.
“Routines are what will win you games. That’s what we’ve been trying to focus on is getting the outs we know we can make,” said Larkin Mitchell, Simon Kenton freshman second baseman. “It is difficult. You think it’s a routine play. But if you take too much time, you get in your own head so you have to block everything out and make the play you know how to make.”
Mitchell went 3 for 3 with one run batted in and three runs scored for Simon Kenton and senior shortstop Alexis Baker went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. Dance went 2 for 3 with one double, three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore catcher Emilie Young had three RBI and senior third baseman Hannah Schwier had one double, one RBI and one run scored.
Teams have had to play in the 40s for most of the start of the season. But teams have made various adjustments.
“I kind of just block it out of my mind and just go up there swinging,” Schwier said. “There is not really any cheat to it. You just have to work through the pain of stinging it.”
Scott batted just .142 (2 for 14). Junior right fielder/first baseman Kayla Overman had a double for the Eagles.
Sophomore Emma Scribner (5-2) started the game striking out three. But eighth grader Scarlett Cochran had to come in to pitch in the third after Scribner had to leave after trying to field a hard ground ball.
“I tell the pitchers let them put the ball in play and let the fielders do the work,” said Lisa Brewer, Scott Head Coach. “I told my fielders when you had a chance to make play, you didn’t make the plays. If you make the plays, the game’s not that bad. But then if you don’t hit batters or walk batters, then they don’t have the chance to score either. But they were making contact and that’s all you can hope for (offensively).”
Scott plays again Friday at home against Cincinnati (Ohio) McNicholas at 5 p.m. Simon Kenton plays twice Saturday at 10 a.m. at Cooper (2-0) then at 2 p.m. against Pendleton County (1-2).
Softball:
Cooper 11, Conner 9:
The Jaguars (2-0) won the 33rd District seeding game at home against the Cougars (2-3) scoring twice in the bottom of the second inning.
“Conner came out and played hard,” said Rusty Scott, Cooper Head Coach. “(The Cougars) got more clutch hits. We made a couple plays in the field and got a couple breaks here and there. But there’s nothing spectacular.”
Junior Emily Schmeltz and senior Gweny Wessling led off with walks. Schmeltz took third and scored on two wild pitches. Two outs later, eighth grade outfielder Kaitlyn Furnish singled Wessling home.
Conner outhit Cooper, 9-5. But Cooper drew 12 walks to four for Conner. The Cougars also had five errors to three for the Jaguars. Wessling drew four walks scoring once and senior pitcher/center fielder Amber Chaney drew three scoring four runs to go with one run scored. Wessling and Chaney also stole two bases each.
“We’re happy we got the win. But we definitely didn’t play to the best of our abilities,” Chaney said. “We definitely got lucky multiple times, especially when we were tied 9-9. We found a couple gaps here and there. We just have to hit better. We haven’t really seen a lot of live pitching. We just need to practice more on that.”
Junior right fielder/pitcher Kendall Blau led Cooper at the plate going 2 for 3 with three RBI. Senior Dylan Scott had two RBI.
Blau (2-0) picked up the win. She struck out six and Chaney struck out two in three innings. Junior first baseman Ashley Chaney scored twice.
Senior shortstop Alex Cobble went 2 for 4 with four RBI and two runs scored to lead Conner at the plate. Senior catcher Haley Kersker went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
Conner sophomore pitcher Molly Sharp threw a complete game. She struck out 11 to go with six earned runs.
Both teams play Wednesday. Cooper travels to Taylor (Ohio) and Conner plays Campbell County (2-2) in Hebron at 5 p.m.
Ryle 10, Bishop Brossart 0 (5 innings):
The Raiders (3-4) scored three in the sixth then four in the fourth to run-rule the visiting ‘Stangs (5-4).
Ryle batted .391 (9 for 23). Junior third baseman Payton Godfrey went 2 for 2 with one double and two runs scored. Sophomore pitcher Madison Goddard went 2 for 3 with four RBI. Junior first baseman Grace Tranbarger and senior left fielder Anna Prince both had two RBIs with freshman Lacie DeLauder and junior Emily Zmurk scoring two runs each.
Ryle scored six runs in the bottom of the third before adding four in the fourth to force the run-ruling. This marked the third run-ruling of the season for the Raiders.
“I think it just took us a little bit to let loose and hit like we know how to hit,” said Grace Morgan, Ryle senior center fielder. “It was cold. But you can’t use that as an excuse. We hope to start earlier in the next couple games and play like we know how to play.”
Madison Goddard threw the complete game striking out nine and allowing no walks and just three hits in 17 at-bats for a .176 average. She is 3-2 on the season.
“The pitching and defense went well,” said Jarret Goddard, Ryle Head Coach. “Pitching-wise, Madie definitely stepped up and did what she needed to do to hold them down. We put balls in play. That was a big thing for us after last weekend. We got shut out in two games last weekend so the concentration in Monday’s practice was to put balls in play and button up our defense a little bit. We’re starting to coming around and do that.”
Ryle faces St. Henry (1-2) on Wednesday in Union at 6 p.m. Bishop Brossart plays host to Paris (1-4) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Baseball:
Conner 12, Cooper 3:
It was not a district seed game between the two 33rd District rivals. But Conner (5-0) did trail for just the second time this season in the top of the second when Cooper junior James Crowe hit a two-run home run in the Denny Taney Classic at Meinken Field in Covington.
But the Cougars scored four in the second before adding five in the fourth to pull away from the Jaguars (1-2). Conner outhit Cooper, 11-3 and committed four errors to two for Cooper.
“We definitely hit the ball well,” said Brad Arlinghaus, Conner Head Coach. “We got some production from the bottom of our line-up. Our offense picked up where our defense slacked. Our defense had been playing pretty well. Once again, I got pretty good pitching from the three guys I threw. They threw strikes and they kept us in the game. We had good results because of that. I’m really pleased with how they’re playing right now, especially in the cold and the different elements.”
Conner had three players record multi-hit games. Senior shortstop Gage Testerman led the way going 3 for 3 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs scored. Senior third baseman Blaise Bowman went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and senior Ethan Hite went 2 for 4 with one double, one RBI and two runs scored. Junior center fielder Ayden Lohr added two runs.
“We work really hard before the games to get into our mood for playing,” Hite said. “We really focus on having a good attitude toward the game and always trying to put more on the scoreboard. Last year when we would get up, we would lose out attitude late in the game and end up losing the game. So this year, we’re really focusing on keeping the foot on the gas pedal the whole game.”
Junior Jeffery Vest (1-0) started the game for Conner picking up the win. He struck out four, walked one and allowed three earned runs and three hits. Senior Tyler Parsons pitched the sixth striking out two to go with one walk and junior Layne Masters pitched the seventh striking out one and walking one.
Senior Justin Delph (0-1) took the loss for Cooper pitching into the fourth inning. He struck out two to go with three walks, four earned runs and five hits. Junior Logan Dean came on in the fourth striking out two to go with three walks, six hits and four earned runs.
Cooper takes on Dixie Heights (3-0) at home Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Conner takes on Harrison (Ohio) on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Beechwood 20, Wyandotte (Michigan) Roosevelt 4 (3 innings):
The Tigers (3-0) took care of the Bears (0-2) with 12 runs in the bottom of the second taking advantage of four errors while committing one.
Beechwood batted .609 (14 for 23) at the plate. Senior Jackson Roseburrough went 3 for 3 with a double, three RBI and three runs scored. Junior shortstop Ben Meier also went 3 for 3 with one double, three RBI and three runs scored.
“I try not to do too much and put the ball in play,” Roseburrough said. “I think if we keep playing this way, we can get pretty far. We didn’t know anything about them. They didn’t know anything about us. We just went out there and played ball.”
Junior right fielder Cameron Boyd went 2 for 3 with a lead-off home run, three runs scored and one RBI. Junior pitcher/designated hitter Mitch Berger went 2 for 4 with one double and one run scored. Junior catcher Brice Estep went 2 for 4 with four RBI. Senior Samuel Cottengim had one double, two RBI and three runs scored with junior center fielder Nazario Pangallo recording two RBI and two runs scored. Senior left fielder Brett Holladay added two RBI.
“They started a left-hander that threw the ball pretty well,” said Kevin Gray, Beechwood Head Coach. “He probably threw 80-82 (miles per hour). They scored four runs in the top of the first. We had a couple walks and they had a couple hits so I was expecting it to be a barn burner through seven. The way we swung the bat in the first inning just carried over to the second.”
Berger (1-0) started the game pitching the first inning. He struck out two to go with three walks, four earned runs and two hits. Junior Matthew Kappes pitched the next two innings striking out three to go with one walk and three hits.
Beechwood travels to St. Henry (3-1) on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m.
Simon Kenton 10, Bishop Brossart 3:
The Pioneers (4-2) jumped back into the win column scoring six runs in the bottom of the second inning and never looking back in the non-region game against the Mustangs (2-4).
“I felt like we looked more comfortable at the plate,” said Troy Roberts, Simon Kenton Head Coach. “It was really all the difference. We played better defense. We had good approaches at the plate which again led to the success that our hitters had.”
The Pioneers batted .400 (12 for 30) in the win. Senior center fielder Logan Grubenhoff led the way going 3 for 4 with three RBI and one run scored. Senior catcher Thomas Lind and senior third baseman Riley Cross both went 2 for 3. Cross had two RBI and one run scored and Lind had an RBI. Junior right fielder Ian Powell went 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Junior designated hitter Gavin Riley scored twice and walked twice.
Senior Ethan Breadon (1-0) threw the first five innings for the Pioneers picking up the win. He struck out seven, walked one and allowed three hits and one earned run. Junior James Allen pitched the last two innings striking out two to go with two hits, two earned runs and two walks.
“He just pounded the strike zone,” Roberts said. “He had a good curve ball. He hasn’t thrown much even on the side in the bullpen. It’s been a pitch he’s been trying to find. He threw a lot of strikes with the fastball and mixed in the change. He did a really good job on the mound.”
Breadon is one of nine seniors on the team. He’s also one of eight pitchers the Pioneers have used this season.
“I feel like the seniors from this year have learned a lot from the seniors in the past,” Breadon said. “It’s doesn’t matter if you make a mistake. Everyone’s always picking each other up. We’re always sticking together.”
Bishop Brossart had three errors to two for Simon Kenton. The Pioneers scored three unearned runs in the win.
Senior Mitchell Combs went 2 for 3 to lead Bishop Brossart. Senior center fielder Andrew Beck doubled.
Simon Kenton plays at Boone County (2-4) on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Bishop Brossart plays at Bellevue on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Ryle 17, Holy Cross 0 (5 innings):
The Raiders (3-2) won their third in a row with a win over the Indians (1-5) in the Denny Taney Classic at Meinken Field.
“We just kind of took care of business,” said Joe Aylor, Ryle Head Coach. “We took advantage of the walks they had and some timely hitting. Our pitching was outstanding. We didn’t give them a chance to get anything going. That helped us keep going from where we left off with St. Henry. Anything we can do to be successful as a team is what we need to do.”
Ryle drew 13 walks and hit .360 (9 for 25) at the plate. Sophomore first baseman Caleb Mann and senior designated hitter Brayden Stewart drew three walks each. Mann finished 1 for 2 at the plate with four runs scored, one double and one RBI. Stewart scored three runs.
“It’s definitely to do wit the patience that we have,” said Josh Furtado, Ryle senior shortstop. “We see a lot of good pitching. It actually started this winter with inter-squads. We have a lot of good pitchers on our staff. I think that really prepared us to see different pitching throughout the region, especially (Tuesday). We did a good job being patient one through nine in the line-up, even the substitutes.”
Freshman Dylan McIntyre went 2 for 2 at the plate with one double, two RBIs and one run scored for Ryle. Junior third baseman Keegan Flaherty had one double and three RBIs. Junior right fielder Jacob Wieland added two runs and two walks. Junior pitcher/third baseman TJ Schira added three RBI.
Schira pitched the first three innings for Ryle. He struck out five. McIntyre pitched the fourth striking out one and senior Walker Bludworth threw the fifth striking out one. The three limited Holy Cross to one hit and walked none.
Ryle plays host to Wyandotte (Michigan) Roosevelt (0-2) on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Holy Cross plays host to Nicholas County (5-1) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Highlands 7, Boone County 3:
The Bluebirds (1-1) earned the 9th Region win at Highland Park against the Rebels (2-4). Boone County has lost three straight.
“It was truly a good team win,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. “We ended up playing 18, 19 guys. Some guys took advantage of opportunities. We threw strikes from the beginning, really challenged their hitters and made plays behind the pitchers. Then our approaches at the plate were much more aggressive than the first game and even throughout the scrimmages that we’ve had. We gave ourselves a chance unlike the first game and the scrimmages.”
Highlands batted .333 (9 for 27) at the plate. Senior Drew Hack went 2 for 2 with one home run, one double, two RBI and two runs scored. Senior Nick Robinson went 2 for 3 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored. Junior Nathan Hartle went 2 for 2 with one run scored.
Junior Jack Hendrix (1-0) threw the first four innings for Highlands striking out five to go with one walk, two hits and one unearned run. Junior Logan Weber pitched the next two innings striking out two to go with one walk, one hit and two earned runs before junior Elijah Hale pitched the seventh striking out one and walking two.
“We really wanted to get one back after that tough loss to Conner,” Hack said. “We knew we had a team with a bunch of good guys and we didn’t play as well as we would have liked to against Conner. So it was big to come out and show what we can do.”
Boone County recorded two doubles in the game by senior Jayden Wilson and sophomore Chris Henson. Wilson plated two and Henson scored twice.
Highlands plays host to Covington Catholic (2-1) on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Boone County plays host to Simon Kenton (4-2) on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Newport Central Catholic 5, Covington Catholic 1:
The Thoroughbreds (4-0) recorded a huge 9th Region win over the Colonels (2-1) at Morscher Park.
NewCath hit .346 (9 for 26) to .120 (4 for 25) for CovCath. The Thoroughbreds led 3-1 after one and added two more in the fifth inning.
Senior Luke Brockman (1-0) pitched the first five innings to pick up the win for NewCath striking out three, walking one and allowing four hits and one earned run. Sophomore Connor Seiter pitched the last two innings striking out three and allowing two walks.
Seiter also went 2 for 3 with two RBI at the plate. Junior center fielder Luke Runyon went 2 for 3 with one run scored and senior Brennan Seiter also went 2 for 3.
Senior Colin Gastright (1-1) took the pitching loss for CovCath. He pitched into the fourth inning striking out two to go with one walk, three earned runs and eight hits. Sophomore Bradley Zekl finished the game striking out two and walking one.
NewCath travels to Cooper (1-2) on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. game. CovCath travels to Highlands (1-1) for a 5 p.m. game Wednesday.
Other March 29 NKY Softball Scores:
Boone County 24, Campbell County 14
Villa Madonna 15, Calvary Christian 3
Dayton 1, Newport 0 (forfeit)
Newport Central Catholic 17, Lloyd Memorial 2
Beechwood 13, Williamstown 3
Other March 29 NKY Baseball Scores:
Dayton 14, August 12
Bellevue 11, Holmes 1 (6 innings)
Calvary Christian 13, Villa Madonna 1 (5 innings)
Ludlow 10, Newport 0 (5 innings)
Mason County 6, Scott 2