Lightning had the final say before either side could finish what felt like a potential preview of the 9th Region’s top contenders, but even in a weather-shortened ending, Highlands and Conner still delivered a clear snapshot of where things stand.
Through five innings, the Bluebirds held a 4-1 lead, and with lightning ending the night early in Hebron, that score became official in a matchup between two programs that entered unbeaten against region opponents.
The Lady Cougars had been 9-0 in 9th Region play, outscoring teams 130-40, while Highlands arrived at 5-0 in region games with a 72-5 margin. When the schedule finally brought them together, it lived up to the billing even without a full seven innings.
“We knew that they were a good team,” Highlands head coach Milt Horner said. “Shawn has put together a good team, he’s a good coach and has his players prepared. I think we’re three and five against top 40 teams and I think that prepares us for tough, close games.”
The game also carried star power across both dugouts, featuring five players ranked among the preseason top 10 as voted by 9th Region coaches. Highlands’ Kaitlyn Dixon (No. 1), Payton Brown (No. 3), and Morgan Pompilio (T-6) were joined by Conner’s Averie Lightner (No. 2) and Kayla Ortiz (T-6).
By night’s end, Dixon played like the top-ranked name on the field.
The senior right-hander controlled the game from the circle, allowing just two hits and one run, which was unearned, while walking one and striking out 10 in a complete performance. Even without being at full strength after missing a game Friday due to illness, she set the tone.
“I’m still not 100%, but I’m feeling better,” Dixon said.
For Highlands, these games also carry echoes of last season’s 9th Region championship loss to Holy Cross, a defeat that still lingers as motivation. Dixon, like many in the Bluebirds’ lineup, has helped turn that disappointment into a driving force this year, something that showed once again Monday evening.
“We don’t play scared,” Dixon said. “We’re hungry.”
The Lady Cougars struggled to find any rhythm against her. Their two hits were an Averie Lightner double and a single from Riley Rosenborough out of the nine spot.
Highlands spread its offense across the lineup, with Morgan Pompilio, Cam Markus, Kaitlyn Dixon, Kate Class, and Bailee Class each recording hits.
Conner’s Jocelyn Ortiz worked in the circle, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out two and walking two, managing damage in key moments but unable to completely stall the Bluebirds’ early momentum.
“We’ve got to get our bats going,” Horner said. “We’ve kind of gone up and down with seeing slow pitching and then fast pitching and then medium pitching. Sometimes it’s hard to just get yourself reconnected.”
Highlands did most of their damage in the opening frame, striking for three runs. After Pompilio reached, Markus drove her in before eventually scoring herself on a passed ball. Kate Class added an RBI grounder to short that brought in courtesy runner Caroline Dalton, running for Dixon.
The Lady Cougars answered in the bottom half when Lightner brought home Kayla Ortiz, trimming the early gap.
From there, both pitchers settled in and controlled the pace until weather intervened in the fifth inning, sealing the result with Highlands still in front.
The matchup also carried a familiar connection between the two sidelines.
Conner head coach Shawn Sproles and Horner once worked together as assistants at Highlands, years before leading two of the region’s top programs against each other.
“It’s actually when I got into fast pitch,” Sproles said. “Sixteen or 17 years ago, my first four years were at Highlands and Milt was there with me. I ran the JV program and then I was an assistant varsity coach.”
Now both sit atop programs positioned for postseason runs, with the regular season continuing to build toward another potential meeting down the line.
Highlands improves to 17-6 overall and 6-0 in region play, with Dixie Heights up next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Edgewood.
Conner drops to 14-6 and 9-1 in region play, with a matchup against Harrison County scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Cynthiana.
BLUEBIRDS 4, LADY COUGARS 1 (5 INN)
HIGHLANDS — 310-00x-x — 4-5-1
CONNER — 000-00x-x — 1-2-1
RBI — (H) K. Class, Markus (C) Lightner
2B — (C) Lightner
WP — Dixon. LP — J. Ortiz.
Records: Highlands 17-6, Conner 14-6