Highlands softball heads to state on hot streak

If you see some of the Highlands softball players taking a deep breath before stepping into the batter’s box in Thursday’s 7 p.m. state tournament first-round game against Estill County, that’s because it’s become a developed habit.

The Bluebirds (26-11) are seeking the first state tournament win in school history against the Lady Engineers (26-13) at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro, after capturing their first-ever Ninth Region championship. The winner advances to Friday’s 9 a.m. second-round contest against either Green County or Apollo. The loser drops into the consolation bracket.

The regional tournament was the highest-scoring in the seven years since going to an eight-team format. A total of 79 runs were scored, an average of 11.2 per game, erasing the records of 75 runs and 10.7 per game in 2010.

Highlands was a big part of the unprecedented scoring, plating a record 28 runs in three games, and extending its school-record winning streak to 18 with an 8-7 win over Notre Dame Academy in the championship game. It was the most runs in the final by a whopping six, surpassing Ryle’s 8-1 win over Conner in 2010.

It’s like night and day for the Bluebirds when they think about the seven-game losing streak they were mired in before reversing their fortunes.

“There’s a reason for that, and it’s our change in approach to hitting,” Highlands coach Rob Coffey said. “When we weren’t hitting, we were taking too many pitches, getting behind in the count and then worrying about the count. We challenged the girls to focus before they get in the batter’s box. We said just breathe in the good and breathe out the bad, and attack. That’s their routine now.”

The Bluebirds are averaging 9.6 runs per game during the 18-game streak. They averaged 5.5 runs the first 19 games. They bash for a high team average, with three .400 hitters, but they find ways to score when they aren’t hitting at a normal clip.

Highlands scored six runs against Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference player of the year Dallis Knotts of Boone County in the regional semifinals, and eight runs in the final against Notre Dame ace Haylee Smith, who had never lost a regional final since starting her career as a Ryle seventh-grader.

“Everybody will tell you that hitting is contagious,” Coffey said. “And I hope it continues for another week.”

Catcher Shelby Graybill leads the Bluebirds with a .520 batting average, seven home runs, 19 doubles and 48 RBI. First baseman Brennah Dutcher, the Ninth Region tournament MVP, is next at .457. She has two homers and a team-leading 50 RBI. Leadoff hitter Whitney Quillen, the third baseman, is hitting .404 with six triples and 42 runs scored.

Crafty pitcher Bailey Spencer got through a quadriceps injury and an appendectomy to win her 20th game of the season in the regional final, with few strikeouts. She’s 20-6 with a 2.20 ERA and several two-hitters. She has thrown a pair of one-hitters.

“I trust my defense,” Spencer said. “We’ve got a good defense, and we always seem to hit.”

Estill County, the 14th Region champion, has won five in a row, all in the postseason, after losing five of its last nine to conclude the regular season.

“Their first four are very tough outs,” Coffey said. “Their leadoff hitter has 26 stolen bases. Their first baseman can mash it. We need to pitch to her right. But they like to small-ball. They’re gonna bunt and run, and try to spray the ball around.” ⬛