Newport Central Catholic 3 Highlands 1

Way to go Breds, and congrats to Highlands on a fine season.

Can't say enought about both teams. Coach Baioni had his guys ready to play and they stayed up the entire game. NewCath keep their composure when Birds took early lead and finally were able to get some hits at the right time---that was the storyline for NewCath's run through this tournament. Pangallo's defensive plays will be talked about for a long time as well. Bright future for the both teams. The final match up of Miller (Sr) v. Murray was everything you could ask for in a championship game. Two team leaders battling for the crown. If Pangallo doesn't make a diving catch to end the game, I can't say that he wouldn't have knocked in the game winner. Severe nail biting by both sides...not to mention the neighborhood rivalry which added that much more to the game. Glad I was there to see it--it was a good one.

Congrats to Coach Schulkens and the Breds. Very impressive to win 3 of the last 5 Regional Titles especially when it is an open tournament....All I can say is WOW!!!!

Also I was very impress with the way Highlands handled themselves in such a big game, not only was it for the first Regional title in over 15 long yrs but because it was such an emotional game for the kids from each school.

NewCath moves on again and I wish them luck as I have lots of friends on that team and they certainly represent the 9th very well.

For the Birds, I believe they take away experience that can't be practiced, bought or found. It must be earned by playing in such a venue with so much on the line. This game experience will stay with them and carryover into next season as all but 1 starter will be back I believe. Keep building, learning and experiencing and good things will happen, not by luck, but by living by the good things that you have accomplished.

Originally Posted by Sweeperboy

Congrats to Coach Schulkens and the Breds. Very impressive to win 3 of the last 5 Regional Titles especially when it is an open tournament....All I can say is WOW!!!!

Also I was very impress with the way Highlands handled themselves in such a big game, not only was it for the first Regional title in over 15 long yrs but because it was such an emotional game for the kids from each school.

NewCath moves on again and I wish them luck as I have lots of friends on that team and they certainly represent the 9th very well.

For the Birds, I believe they take away experience that can't be practiced, bought or found. It must be earned by playing in such a venue with so much on the line. This game experience will stay with them and carryover into next season as all but 1 starter will be back I believe. Keep building, learning and experiencing and good things will happen, not by luck, but by living by the good things that you have accomplished.

Well said! A fun game to watch. Congrats BREDS.

Didn't Cain pitch 6 innings on Monday? Wow, to come back that quickly is impressive, if it actually happened!

Im pretty sure these players all player together for the Ft Thomas Bulldogs all through Knothole /SW OH leagues. From Highlands Schultz, Murray, NCC, Dupont, and Pete Collopy.

But what is even scarier to think about is there are several from that team who no longer play. Names like Turner, Seidle, Dee from Highlands and Siebert and Bueter from NCC. Alot of strong baseball players from that JR clases on One team back in the day.

Originally Posted by Flotsam

Highlands and New Cath in the 9th Region finals. Ft. Thomas Youth Baseball represents.

Originally Posted by Spartan79

Didn't Cain pitch 6 innings on Monday? Wow, to come back that quickly is impressive, if it actually happened!

He threw five on Monday.

Originally Posted by Miller

He threw five on Monday.

Still a testament to the young man. He threw almost 12 innings this week and is a fine pitcher. What is his velocity?

Congratulations to NCC and good luck at state! Nice finish Birds, that's something to really build on for next year. Well done!

Congratulations to NewCath on back to back regional titles and good luck at state. Congratulations to Highlands on a very nice season.

Anyone have the all tournament team for the 9th region tournament?

Congrats to the Breds! Good pitching, great defense and timely 2 out hitting were the keys to victory.

For the Birds, WOW! Lots of blood, sweat & tears at the end of the run. It's nice to see a group of kids and coaches that work as hard as they did this season get rewarded. From the days of conditioning to tryouts to the 1st pitch at Walton Verona to Myrtle Beach and the nice run at the end of the year, it was a great ride.

For the Seniors, "Thank you" and you will be missed. As I have stated before, Grant Duesing did everything he was asked to do to overcome some hurdles and EARN his spot on this team. Chris Bausch came back to HHS and wanted to be a part of this team. He played every role from bullpen catcher to relief pitcher to pinch hitter to infielder. Mitch Meyer contributed on the field mightily, but more importantly to the development of these kids as both players and young men.

Hopefully this will be the season everyone points to as the one that "turned around the baseball program at HHS." Of course, if it is viewed that way it will only be because that is the easy and simple way to look at it from 30,000 feet. The reality is that the turnaround began with a focused intensity a few years ago with players and coaches willing to do the hard work to try to build something. It began with a school board and administration willing to fund and coaches willing to staff a Freshman program to build a "feeder system" to encourage, develop and cultivate players. It began with coaches, parents and city administrators (but mostly coaches) willing to bring Highland Park up to a level where a top class program could play. It began with support from Coach Mueller and the Athletic Department at HHS, regardless of some perceptions which may exist to the contrary, proclaiming to anyone that would listen that baseball and football can co-exist and prosper at HHS. It began with coaches willing to make tough decisions that were often unpopular but right for the program. It began with being willing, even when it HURTS, to "go to battle" with those committed to battling with you rather than making exceptions for those talented enough to help, but unwilling, for whatever reason, to commit.

Does a single season with a great run to end up District Champs & Regional Runner Ups mean HHS has arrived? Maybe / Maybe Not. Does it guarantee they stay there? No way. Are they going in the right direction? Absolutely. Is the right person guiding the ship? Positively.

I heard at the game that Dale has cancelled football practice on 2 occasions in the last 15 years -- yesterday for the Regional Championship game and on 9/11. I think we're going in the right direction.

If any of the current varsity returning players read this my advice to them is to get better and not rest on their laurels. There is a lot of good talent coming up behind them that will push for spots next year.

I'm told some of the student section showed up yesterday morning at Highland Park to "practice" and to help shag foul balls.

Well done, boys.

Originally Posted by Clyde

I'm told some of the student section showed up yesterday morning at Highland Park to "practice" and to help shag foul balls.

Well done, boys.

That is awesome!!!! lol

Here is video of Dom Pangallo's catch that ended the game. Great catch but his two against Dixie were even better.

Video: Dom Pangallo’s diving catch in 9th Region finals

Originally Posted by Miller

Josh Cain was a stud today. Couple that with Conner Bartels' outing last night and Newcath also has a lot to look forward to next year. Newcath, like Highlands, will return the bulk of their lineup. Should be a great year for both.

Cain and Bartels is an impressive combination of returning starting pitching for NCC. I have no idea who else they have coming back, but don't need to to know that they will be in the hunt to repeat with that kind of pitching.

Originally Posted by Qryche11

Im pretty sure these players all player together for the Ft Thomas Bulldogs all through Knothole /SW OH leagues. From Highlands Schultz, Murray, NCC, Dupont, and Pete Collopy.

But what is even scarier to think about is there are several from that team who no longer play. Names like Turner, Seidle, Dee from Highlands and Siebert and Bueter from NCC. Alot of strong baseball players from that JR clases on One team back in the day.

I heard that team was only any good because of superior coaching! (of course it was the coach who told me that!). But the bigger issue that I've not seen addressed is: Who got to sit behind home plate?

Congrats to the Breds...especially Andy "Thriller" Miller! Enjoy it to the MAX!

Originally Posted by UCRN

I heard that team was only any good because of superior coaching! (of course it was the coach who told me that!). But the bigger issue that I've not seen addressed is: Who got to sit behind home plate?

!

Birds

Originally Posted by Moken

Great Pictures as always paNDA!!!

Speaking on behalf of ALL the Northern Kentucky High School sports fans, your work and dedication to taking pictures at the various high school games is truly appreciated!!

A big AMEN to that.

Great job Jeremy, hope to see you and your Dad soon, like the old days talk Baseball.