Dixie Heights' domination has team No. 1
The Dixie Heights baseball team hasn't lost to a team from Kentucky yet this season, has ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches' poll, and has allowed just 12 runs in eight games, but veteran head coach Chris Maxwell isn't ready to compare it with some of the best teams he's coached at the school quite yet.
Dixie, which finished as Ninth Region runner-up last season, suffered its first loss of this season this past Saturday to Anderson, 5-4, in the Doc Morris Invitational Tournament after opening the season with seven straight wins against Kentucky schools, including five from the Ninth Region, to earn five of 10 first-place votes in the Enquirer poll.
"Way too early to compare them to other teams we have had at Dixie," said Maxwell. "There are certain expectations of them, just like other years, and they have a good chance to fulfill those. Don't forget, we were very lucky in postseason play last year. We trailed at some point in all five games we played. I will take a little luck every once in awhile, but we can't put ourselves in that position again."
If his team continues pitching the way it has it may not need much luck. Nick King, Matt Wehrle, Henry Kerns, Griffin Smallwood, Mitchell Anderson and J.T. Breeden have all pitched well, and Maxwell said he is still working Nick Niehaus back into pitching shape after he injured his arm last summer.
The Colonels are also strong up the middle with catcher Seth Caple, shortstop Ethan Harrison, second baseman Royce McGee and center fielder Evan Hicks. Third baseman Adam Daria has gotten off to a good start at the plate.
"I like the disposition of this team, they don't seem to rattle easily, and I think you can trace to the old thought of being strong up the middle," said Maxwell. "That along with the pitching we will be in every game we play."
CAMPBELL BOUNCES BACK IN DOC MORRIS: After starting 0-5 this season, Campbell County went 3-0 in the Doc Morris over the weekend, beating Newport Central Catholic, Rowan County and Johnson Central.
"It was great to see us come out and swing the bats and play well," said Campbell County coach Scott Schweitzer. "All three games the opposing teams gave us multiple opportunities and my guys capitalized a lot and put the pressure on early. This weekend gave them a taste of how good things can be, but they need to keep the focus."
During its 0-5 start, on days Campbell County pitched well it didn't hit (losing to Beechwood 4-2 and Dixie Heights 2-1), and on days it hit well it struggled on the mound and sometimes in the field (losing to Conner 10-9, Anderson 9-8 and Cooper 12-4).
The Rowan County win was especially big because twice Campbell County led by nine runs only to have walks and fielding mistakes allow the lead to slip away. Junior Kevin Skinner came on with a four-run lead and the bases loaded in the seventh inning and got the last two outs on only three pitches.
"Hopefully this will be the turn-around that gives our guys the confidence to get over the close games," said Schweitzer.
That Rowan County game ended at 1 a.m. Saturday morning and in the team's 10 a.m. game that day, junior Johnny Eblin made quick work of Johnson Central, needing just 53 pitches in tossing a five-inning complete game. Junior Gabe Kremer belted a three-run homer in that game.
For the tournament, senior third baseman Joe Kremer went 6-for-13 with seven RBI and junior shortstop Brady Sansom was 4-for-10 with four RBI and five runs scored.
ALL 'A' SHOT IN ARM FOR BROSSART, CARROLL: Bishop Brossart and Carroll County perhaps gained some momentum for the rest of their seasons by winning the 10th Region and 8th Region All 'A' Classic tournaments over the weekend.
Brossart began the season winning just two of its first 10 games, but downed Robertson County on Thursday, 12-0, and after winning via a forfeit over Augusta in the semifinal round on Saturday, beat Bracken County in the championship game, 11-0. Brossart head coach Ron Verst said he used seven different pitchers combined in the wins over Robertson County and Bracken County.
"We have four varsity starters – three are pitchers – who played basketball and basically started up with us on our first regular season game," said Verst. "We have not played three consecutive days yet and have only had two actual practices on the field. Our basketball guys just now are getting up to speed with baseball. We played a challenging early season schedule and the weather has been difficult to get any kind of consistency with our play. It's always nice to win the 10th Region 'A' and it gives us a shot (to play in Lexington for the state tournament May 3-4)."
Brossart will face Ninth Region champion Beechwood in a sectional game next week on a date to still be determined.
Carroll County bounced back from a disappointing loss to Walton-Verona in last year's 8th Region All 'A' Classic when it allowed four runs in the bottom of the seventh to fall 9-8 by downing Walton-Verona in this year's championship game on Saturday, 7-5, after trailing 5-0 through four innings. It was Carroll County's fourth straight win, three of them coming in the 8th Region All 'A', after losing five straight games.
"It was nice to be able to battle back against them," said Carroll County coach Jimmy Ray. "I truly believe every kid on our roster had contributions to help us win the tournament. Our team, as a whole, fought the whole tournament. In the games against Owen County and Walton Verona I would bet 75 percent of our runs came with two outs."
Seth Hicks belted a three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning to put Carroll County ahead for good against Walton-Verona, 6-5. Zakk Hicks pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief in which he didn't allow an earned run to pick up the win and was named tournament MVP. Seth Hicks, Justin Ray and Austin Dunn were named to the all-tournament team.
REDS "KID GLOVE" TICKETS AVAILABLE: There more than 5,000 ticket vouchers remain for two Cincinnati Reds "Kid Glove" games on May 13 and 14 against the San Diego Padres.
Vouchers are $10 each and can be redeemed for a View Level seat at Great American Ball Park to either of those games. Vouchers are issued on a consignment basis and any amateur baseball or softball team, including high school teams, is eligible to participate. Participating teams receive 85 percent of their sales in equipment for the 2015 season.
For anyone interested in participating or for more information contact Paul Kramer at paulwink@fuse.net.
NOTEWORTHY: Covington Catholic has won seven straight games to move to 10-2, and in those seven games it averaged 10.6 runs and scored at least 11 runs five times. The Colonels (10-2), who are ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches' poll, host No. 5 Highlands (10-5) Tuesday at 5 p.m. … It was a week of firsts for Conner last week as junior designated hitter Dustin Baker hit his first career homer and junior Ryan Gosney earned his first career win in a complete-game performance against Simon Kenton.