NewCath claims All 'A' softball title

There is a new Touchstone Energy All "A" Classic Ninth Region softball champion following Newport Central Catholic's 8-2 win over defending champion St. Henry in Friday's final at Newport Vets.

The Thoroughbreds (8-3) received a three-hitter from pitcher Haley Meyers and won its first small-school regional crown since 2011.

The freshman retired the first 14 St. Henry batters before losing the shutout during a two-run sixth inning for the Crusaders (6-8), who were playing in their third game in 24 hours after winning Friday's early evening semifinal and a Thursday night quarterfinal.

Michaela Ware's two-out double to left-center field plated the first run during a seven-run second for the Thoroughbreds.

"Those runs in the second made me relax," Meyers said. "It's feels awesome to win."

Casey Kohls' RBI single made it 3-0.

Ware, Kohls and Molly Mertle all went 2-for-4, but swinging the big bat for the 'Breds was third baseman Loren Zimmerman, who went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI.

NewCath advances to the All "A" state tournament and plays the 12th Region champion in the first game of pool play at 9 a.m. April 26 at Jack Fisher Park in Owensboro.

"Meyers could be something special if she keeps at it," NewCath coach Denny Barnes said. "She pitched really well today, and we're going to state for the third time."

NewCath and St. Henry earned the the final with Friday semifinal victories featuring solid pitching performances. NewCath eliminated Lloyd, 10-0, with a one-hit shutout from Meyers. St. Henry defeated Holy Cross, 7-4 with 12 strikeouts from pitcher Jordan Kramer.

The Crusaders, an All "A" state semifinalist last season, dropped Holy Cross to 5-8 on the season in a rematch of a 2011 All "A" Classic regional semifinal. Lloyd, which won its first All "A" regional tournament game in school history in this year's event, dropped to 3-6.

A semifinal hitting hero for NewCath was Sarah Neace, who ended the game via mercy rule with a run-scoring double down the left field line, plating the Thoroughbreds' 10th run in the bottom of the fifth. Mertle led off the inning and reached base on an error by the second baseman. She was replaced by a pinch-runner, who stole second and scored on Neace's smash down the line.

Ware, Zimmerman and Kristin Schreiber collected two hits each for the 'Breds in the semifinal. Kohls' three-run triple during a five-run second gave NewCath a 5-0 lead. Morgan Martini's two-run single highlighted a three-run fourth.

That pleased coach Barnes, whose squad has won five of seven games after three basketball players arrived.

"We've been playing some good ball," the coach said.

St. Henry 000 002 0 -- 2 - 3 - 2
NewCath 1710 000 0 -- 8 -- 11 -0

WP: Meyers (7-1) 7 K's). LP: Kramer (6-8). Leaders: S-J. Roark 2B; Urban 2B. N-Zimmerman 4-4, 2B, 3 RBI; Ware 2-4, 2B; Kohls 2-4; Mertle 2-4. Records: N 8-3, S 6-8

Lloyd 000 00 -- 0 - 1 - 1
NewCath 150 31 -- 10 - 11 - 0

WP: Meyers (6-1) 8 K's. LP: Crawford (3-6). Leaders: N-Ware 2-3; Kohls 3B, 3 RBI; Schreiber 2-3, 3 RBI; Zimmerman 2-3; Martini 2 RBI. Records: L 3-6, N 7-3.

St. Henry 202 110 1 -- 7 - 13 - 0
Holy Cross 101 200 0 -- 4 - 8 - 0

WP: Kramer 6-7 (12 K's). LP: Clements. Leaders: S-Kramer 2-4; J. Roark 3-4; Dietz 4-4. HC-Lameier 2-3 Records: S 6-7, H 5-8.