It may not be a focus within the team itself.
But it’s not a secret the Dixie Heights Colonels softball team (18-4 overall) is the hottest team in the 9th Region. The Colonels know they will be getting the best shot from opponents, especially heading into the postseason.
The host Conner Lady Cougars (12-10) gave the Colonels one of those battles. The game was a pitchers’ duel between two sophomores in Dixie Heights right-hander Riley Hopkins (14-4) and Conner left-hander Mollie Sharp (9-7).
The defenses made one error each behind them. Both pitchers retired the side two times each.
It came down to which team made fewer mental errors on the bases and scored more runs in the sixth inning. Dixie Heights won that inning and ultimately the game 3-2 to keep the winning streak alive at 13 in a row. Head Coach Sarah Osborne said Dixie Heights did see some left-handed pitchers downstate early on in the season.
“(Sharp) did a great job. I can’t take that away from her,” Osborne said. “She threw our hitters off. We’d been on a hitting streak and she kind of put that down. But we just struggled at the plate. I think we got a little bit too antsy. I think they’re starting to feel the pressure of post-season sneaking up a bit and knowing what’s at stake right now.”
Lucky for the Colonels, Osborne has been in their shoes before. The Colonels won the 9th Region in 2019 and Osborne helped Dixie Heights to the 2004 9th Region championship as a player.
“When we were out in our (post-game) speech, (Dixie Heights assistant coach and former Conner Head Coach) Kristen (Elfers) made the good point of ‘Don’t let the moment get too big,” Osborne said. “Stay in the moment. Stay where you’re at right now. Be where your feet are. Don’t think about what happened here. Don’t think about what happened behind you. What does your team need at this moment in time? Everything else up until that point doesn’t matter. That’s our big thing right now.”
Hopkins struck out two, walked two and allowed no earned runs. The Colonels made the majority of the routine plays and a couple key plays behind her. Sophomore right fielder Carly Waters made a sliding catch near the line in right field in the bottom of the fourth.
The Colonels had two double plays in the first three innings. With one out, Conner senior shortstop Alex Cobble walked and tried to advance to third when Sharp singled just in front of Dixie Heights eighth grader left fielder Taylor Dawalt. But Dawalt recovered throwing to senior Ava Meyer at third to get Cobble. Meyer then threw to sophomore first baseman Skylar Mitchell to get Sharp going back to first.
Dixie Heights junior catcher Becca Cundiff picked a Conner runner off first to end the second throwing to Mitchell. Conner did use that to its advantage later in the bottom of the seventh when eighth grade second baseman Averie Lightner led off first then darted for second to steal the base when Cundiff threw to first. That put the tying run at second with two out. But Hopkins retired the next two batters to end the game.
The Colonels had another double play to finish the top of the third. Sophomore flex player Katie Hammond flied out to Waters in right. Waters then threw to Dixie Heights junior shortstop Ella Steczynski to double up eighth grade third baseman Breanna Meredith going back to second.
“That’s what we told them at the beginning of the game,” said Shawn Sproles, Conner Head Coach. “Dixie has experience and we have a little inexperience. Those are the small things you’re going to win a district or region with. But we’re excited. Last year, we were just talking about games to win. Now we’re starting to look at possibilities of winning district and region. Those are small details they have to learn. Right now, we’re learning by fire. Hopefully, that helps carry us for the future.”
Dixie Heights did put its first two runners on in the top of the fourth. Steczynski walked, stole second and Mitchell reached on an infield single. Hopkins then sacrifice bunted them over. But Sharp struck out sophomore center fielder Taylor Ingram before coaxing Cundiff to ground out to end the threat.
The Dixie Heights breakthrough started when Meyer and Steczynski singled. Meyer and Steczynski moved up one base on the Conner fielding error. Mitchell then had an infield single to score Meyer and Steczynski moved to third. One out later, Steczynski darted home when Ingram landed a sacrifice bunt and Mitchell moved to third. Cundiff then singled Mitchell home to put Dixie Heights up 3-0.
Conner came back with its two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore right fielder Aaliyah Secrest singled and moved to second on a passed ball. With two out, junior center fielder Keira Holeman walked and Cobble put one in play advancing to second on a Dixie Heights error in the outfield. Secrest and Holeman scored on the play to make the final score. But Hopkins coaxed Sharp into grounding out to end the threat.
Dixie Heights batted .217 (5 for 23) overall and Conner batted .150 (3 for 20). Mitchell was the lone batter on either side to record more than one hit going 2 for 2 with a run batted in and run scored.
“There are no moral victories,” Sproles said. “But we’ll take that because that was a good fight. As we told them, Dixie is one of the teams that could be in the region final. We were with them the entire time. The fight in this time is something I never question.”
Dixie Heights heads south to face Harrison County (24-10) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. for the second time this season. Conner travels to Ludlow (2-19) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Softball:
Highlands 4, Simon Kenton 2:
The Bluebirds (19-13) scored two in the bottom of the first and made the lead stand in a non-region make-up game over the visiting Lady Pioneers (13-12).
Eighth grade pitcher Kaitlyn Dixon (6-3) pitched the first five innings striking out three, walking one and allowing just two earned runs. Junior Kennedy Baioni pitched the final two innings striking out one and walking just one with no hits to earn her first save of the season.
“I just think that we trust ourselves and we know that we can hit our spots,” Dixon said. “We’ve put in enough time and effort to know that if we just throw, (the ball) will most likely go where it’s supposed to. We know that we’ve worked well as a team this season so far. Postseason doesn’t need to be any different.”
Simon Kenton sophomore pitcher Landrey Dance (7-9) pitched another complete game in the losing effort. She struck out three, walked one and allowed three unearned runs. The Lady Pioneers had four errors to two for the Bluebirds.
Highlands batted .310 (9 for 29) overall seeing three players record multi-hit games and one extra-base hit. Simon Kenton batted (4 for 28) .143 overall. No one had multi-hit games or extra-base hits for the Lady Pioneers.
Highlands junior third baseman Carly Cramer went 2 for 3 with three RBI including a two-run double in the bottom of the first to put the Bluebirds up for good at 2-0. Baioni went 2 for 3 with one RBI and senior shortstop Anna Greenwell went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
“(Sophomore center fielder) Bailey (Markus) got on first batter because of catcher’s interference. Technically, that’s an error,” said Milt Horner, Highlands Head Coach. “Then we ended up with two runs out of it. Then our third run, I think Anna (Greenwell) kind of stole it with a bloop single. They weren’t paying attention when they threw it in the circle. She basically stole second without a pitch. She went to third on a ground ball. Only Anna probably gets there and scored on a dribbler in front of the plate and only Anna probably gets there. When we can do this kind of things, that helps.”
Horner also credited eighth grade right fielder Cam Markus for making two incredible catches. One came on a line out to end the game in the top of the seventh with a runner on first base.
Highlands plays host to rival Notre Dame (10-9) at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Simon Kenton plays host to Beechwood (13-15) at 5:30 p.m.
Campbell County 12, Bourbon County 2 (5 innings):
The Camels (14-9) took down the visiting Lady Colonels (10-17) in 10th Region play.
Eighth grade pitcher Faith Whitford (2-1) pitched a complete game for the Camels. Whitford had five strikeouts and allowed seven hits.
“She’s hitting her spots and I’m really proud of (Whitford),” said Sandi Kitchen, Campbell County Head coach. “I felt like they had a lot of energy and they scored in every inning. Once the bats get going, it kind of just snowballs into it. Getting that first run across the plate is big for us. We relax or whatever at the plate.”
Campbell County pounded out 14 wins in the win. Senior center fielder Bella Bastin went 3 for 4 with three doubles to lead the Camels.
Campbell County travels to Ryle (16-13) on Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m.
Scott 17, Williamstown 1 (3 innings):
The Eagles (16-17) won their final regular season game of the year on the road against the Lady Demons (3-11).
Eighth grade pitcher Scarlett Cochran (3-5) pitched a complete game striking out two, walking three and allowing just two hits and one earned run. Scott scored seven unearned runs off four Williamstown errors and yielded none off one error.
“It was nice. They continued to hit well,” said Lisa Brewer, Scott Head Coach. “They didn’t have to make too many defensive plays. Scarlett pitched well again. It gives us something to think about instead of having a tough loss just before districts.”
Scott batted .545 (12 for 22) overall. Freshman center fielder Elise Manhardt went 3 for 3 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore second baseman Ivy Cochran went 3 for 4 with one RBI and three runs scored at the leadoff spot.
“It really helped (getting on at the leadoff spot) because I really feel like it started the rally,” Ivy Cochran said. “Once I got on base, more people felt energized and in good spirits, not down.”
Scott sophomore first baseman Emma Scribner went 2 for 3 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored. Senior third baseman Riley Reeves batted in four with junior shortstop Audrey Griffin battling in two. Junior right fielder Kayla Overman drove in two and scored three times.
Scott plays Bishop Brossart (11-15) in the 37th District semifinals at Campbell County on May 23 at 7 p.m. Brewer said she tried to line up some other games between then and now. But could not find any other opponents.
Henry Clay 6, Cooper 4:
Cooper (23-8) built a 2-0 lead on the road early. But the Blue Devils (13-18) rallied to post the non-region win.
Cooper batted .276 (8 for 29) overall. Junior infielder Emily Schmeltz went 2 for 3 with a home run, triple, two RBI and one run scored. Sophomore second baseman Ava Scott went 2 for 4 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored.
Senior Amber Chaney (9-4) pitched a complete game. She struck out five, walked two and allowed seven hits and six earned runs. Henry Clay had two errors to none for Cooper. The Lady Jaguars scored one unearned run.
Cooper plays at St. Henry (6-16) on Tuesday. Game time is 6 p.m.
Baseball:
Highlands 9, Dixie Heights 8:
The Bluebirds (17-16) snapped a six-game losing streak and stopped the 10-game winning streak for the Colonels (22-8).
“We needed it,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. “You can add Dixie to the list of really good teams we’ve played in the last few weeks. We really needed to get some momentum going into the postseason. Hopefully, we got that.”
Highlands batted .379 (11 for 29) overall. Junior Nathan Hartle went 3 for 3 with one run scored. Junior Jack Hendrix led the way going 3 for 4 with one double, three RBI and one run scored. Senior Ryne Wiseman hit a solo home run and senior Drew Hack had a double and two RBI. Junior Brennan Kelsay scored twice.
Sophomore Brody Benke came on in relief in the second inning for Highland. He pitched four innings striking out four and walking two to earn the win.
“Coming in relief is definitely important just having a feel for all your pitches, especially against a team like Dixie that’s had a good couple of weeks,” Benke said. “That’s given them some momentum. (Highlands junior starter) Logan (Weber) struggled a bit. But everyone has bad outings. My slider looked really good. That really helped keep us in the game.”
Highlands took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Drew Barth and Hendrix pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings respectively.
Dixie Heights batted .345 (10 for 29) overall. Senior third baseman Logan Wilson went 2 for 3 with one RBI and one run scored. Senior shortstop Jay Flynn went 2 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Sophomore second baseman Luke Abeling went 2 for 3 with three RBI. Senior left fielder Gabe Thelen tripled with junior Owen Lawrence and senior Mark Dugan adding doubles. Sophomore designated hitter Michael Rogers scored twice.
Both teams begin tournament play. Dixie Heights faces either Villa Madonna (11-18) or Ludlow (13-18) on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the 34th District semifinals at home. Highlands faces host Bellevue (10-20) at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Ryle 10, Simon Kenton 1:
The Raiders (17-13) ventured to Independence and took down the Pioneers (17-11-1) in the last game of the regular season for both teams.
Ryle batted .419 (13 for 31) overall with three players recording multi-hit games. Junior outfielder Roman Furuta went 4 for 4 with a double, RBI and scored three runs. Senior Josh Furtado went 3 for 3 with a triple, RBI and scored two runs. Freshman Dylan McIntyre went 2 for 4 with a double, RBI and scored twice.
“We’re happy with how we played,” said Joe Aylor, Ryle Head Coach. “Obviously, we have to repeat that going into the district tournament. It’s a nice way to end the regular season and hopefully carry that into the postseason knowing that we’re in the toughest district in Northern Kentucky.”
Ryle senior Brayden Stewart drove in two and pitched the final two innings striking out five and walking one. Junior infielder Keegan Flaherty drove in two with junior center fielder Landon Sawyer walking twice and scoring twice.
Furtado started the game pitching three innings before senior Tyler Sickmeyer pitched the next two. They struck out three each.
“We’re ready,” Aylor said. “We’ve got what we think is one of the top pitching staffs up here. Top to bottom, we feel like we can send guys out there and compete with anybody. We’re ready to go for Thursday.”
Simon Kenton used four pitchers in the game. Senior catcher Tom Lind doubled and scored for the Pioneers.
Simon Kenton faces host Grant County (10-12) on Wednesday in the 32nd District semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Ryle travels to Conner for the 33rd District semifinals Thursday and takes on Cooper (11-20) at 5 p.m.
Other May 16 NKY Softball Scores:
Beechwood 13, Holy Cross 12
Grant County 4, Bishop Brossart 2
Notre Dame 2, Bracken County 0
Dayton 12, Holmes 9
Newport Central Catholic 17, Lloyd Memorial 1 (3 innings)
Bellevue 26, Ludlow 12
Holmes 1, Newport 0 (forfeit)
Villa Madonna 11, St. Henry 8
Other May 16 NKY Baseball Score:
Ludlow 6, Bellevue 2
Newport Central Catholic 8, Lloyd Memorial 2