NewCath softball bests city rival again
Nine Northern Kentucky Softball Coaches Association Division II all-stars took the field for Tuesday's 36th District tournament semifinal between Newport and Newport Central Catholic, an emotional contest won 7-2 by the Thoroughbreds.
With that many talented players in a game at Winkler Field involving city rivals in a rematch of last year's semifinals, it was bound to be intense.
The Wildcats also played with heavy hearts against the two-time defending district champions a day after head coach Scott Taylor was released from the hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday. The sixth-year coach was watching from the stands as third-base coach John Atkins directed the team.
It wound up being a surreal season finale for the Wildcats (15-7), who had their season ended by the tournament-tested Thoroughbreds (18-9) for the third year in a row.
NewCath, the Ninth Region All "A" Classic tournament champion, received timely hits and solid pitching from ace Haley Meyers while earning a berth in next week's KHSAA Ninth Region tournament at Northern Kentucky University. Meyers, the NKSCA Division II co-player of the year, pitched a five-hitter and struck out 12 while being backed by error-free defense.
NewCath, ranked tied for seventh in the final Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches' poll, scored a run in the first and second innings against No. 10 Newport, but the Wildcats tied it at 2 with a pair in the top of the third. The 'Breds went ahead for good with two in the bottom of the third, on Kristen Schreiber's infield sacrifice and Loren Zimmerman's single to left field.
NewCath added another run in the fifth and two in the sixth. The 'Breds totaled 13 hits off Newport starter Katlyn Hoeh, also a Division II first-team pick.
NewCath plays Wednesday's Dayton-Highlands semifinal winner in Thursday's 6 p.m. final at Winkler. The Thoroughbreds, in the district final for the seventh time in eight years, are seeking a third straight district title and sixth overall. The only year they failed to make the district final was in 2011 when Highlands and Newport advanced. The Bluebirds won the crown that year.
The Wildcats were looking for their first regional berth since 2012, when they lost 3-0 to NewCath. The 'Breds eliminated Newport 6-3 in last year's semifinals.
PLAY OF THE GAME: Playing with a virus, Schreiber plated the go-ahead run in the third, scoring a runner from third base on the sacrifice.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: NewCath's Meyers went 2-for-3 with a double. Michaela Ware went 3-for-4 with a double. Teammates Zimmerman and Taylor Burkart collected two hits apiece, each with an RBI.
VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE: "We had a sick catcher (Schreiber), but we hit when we needed to," NewCath coach Denny Barnes said. "We got some big hits from Loren."
Said Newport's Atkins: "Being a very young team, with a seventh-grader, two eighth-graders and three sophomores in the starting lineup, we learned a lot this year."
QUOTABLE: "I thought the kids worked hard trying to get focused for the game," Taylor said. "They were very committed, and I've got a great staff with me that helped us get ready."
NOTABLE: Highlands pitcher Bailey Spencer is unavailable after an emergency appendectomy.
W–Meyers (17-7 Ks). LP: Hoeh (15-7). Leaders: New–Atkins 2-3. NCC–Ware 3-4, 2B; Zimmerman 2-4; Burkart 2-3; Meyers 2-3, 2B. Records: New 15-7, NCC 18-9.