Alright boys and girls it’s that time of the year, so let’s get the fastpitch talk started. And with that said here is the 2014 preview of NewCath fastpitch.

 

Head Coach Denny Barnes and the NewCath Thoroughbreds look to improve upon last season’s 15-14 record that saw the Breds play like “Dr.Jekyll & Mr.Hyde”, so to speak, as the season went along. The Breds played good for a stretch and then just the opposite, it was difficult to explain. However, when it came time for the District Finals the Breds avenged two regular season 4-3 setbacks to Highlands and beat the Birds, 2-1 to claim its 5th district title (’07,’09,’10,’12,’13) since the fastpitch program began in 2006. However, the season ended with a disappointing 6-5 8 inning loss to Dixie in the opening round of the 9th Region tourney at Northern Kentucky University.

 

The good new for Coach Barnes is that he returns 9 starters from last year’s squad. The only loss was last year’s lone senior, starting leftfielder Christina Enzweiler (.291, 23H, 3 2B, 12RBI), who in her 1st year as a varsity starter was a pleasant surprise at that position. With the emergence of 10 8th graders to freshmen status, a couple of these girls will compete for a starting position.

 

The returning starters include:

Seniors - Taylor Burkart & Molly Mertle

Juniors - Loren Zimmerman, Michaela Ware, Sarah Neace, Kristen Schreiber, Casey Kohls, & Morgan Martini.

Freshmen - Haley Meyers.

 

The Breds have an “amped up” schedule for 2014 that will hopefully prepare them for the end of the season. The week of Spring Break will be especially “trying” with the Breds having a JV/Varsity double-header with Louisville Presentation & Walton-Verona at Florence Freedom, Boone Co., Harrison Co., & then going to Rockcastle Co. to play Madison Southern, South Laurel, & Rowan Co.

 

NOTE: NewCath and Highlands will play in the 1st ever game at the Birds new home field, Winkler Park, on March 20th in a non-seeding game. Thanks to Highlands Coach Rob Coffey for giving the Breds the opportunity.

 

2014 NewCath Player Profiles

 

Sr. Taylor Burkart (.270AVG, 20R, 4 2B, 24RBI) - (10AP, 2-3, 26IP, 12K, .81 ERA) – The 3 year varsity starter enters the 2014 season unsure of what position she will be playing, the good thing for Coach Barnes, she can play any position and more times than not, without error. Last season while playing 6 different positions (all 3 OF, P, 1st, & 3rd) she had a .993 FLD%. She has played at least 5 games at every position in her career, with the exception that she has never played Catcher, and has committed only 4 errors. Career wise, she is tops in FLD% (.983), fewest errors committed (4), & saves (4). 3rd in RBI (46) & 4th in games played (84).

 

Sr. Molly Mertle (.185AVG, 3 2B, 13RBI) - As a 1st year starter in right, Molly did an excellent job. The consummate “team player”, she has an unbelievably strong arm and an can move down the line.

 

Jr. Kristen Schreiber (.315AVG, 30R, 26RBI, 7 2B, 5 HR) – The catcher returns for her 3 season behind the “dish” and IMO has the strongest arm in NKY. With “pop times” of between 1.75 & 1.82, the last two seasons she has thrown out over 50% (28/55) of would be base stealers. The hustle she shows game in and game out is a coach’s dream. She currently ranks 2nd in career 2B (13), 1st in 3B (7), tied 1st in HR (5) & 4th in RBI (44).

 

Jr. Casey Kohls (.398AVG, 39H, 33R, 17RBI) – Casey was a 2013 Coaches Association 1st Team & Enquirer 2nd Team member. For the 2nd year in a row the 2nd basemen led the team in hitting (.430 in ’12). Besides carrying a big stick on offense, she has a very good glove in the field. Over the last two seasons at 2nd she has been involved in a TON of action, 125 putouts, 89 assist, and only 13 errors. The best part about Casey is she always has a smile on her face, no matter what. She is currently the career leader in OB% (.478), BA (.415), 2nd in SLG %(.537), 3rd in hits (85), & runs (61). Before it’s all said and done she will own most of the career offensive marks.

 

Jr. Michaela Ware (.349AVG, 37H, 33R, 10SB) – Another member of a very talented jr. class, Michaela is a career hitting .353 sparkplug that sets the table offensively. If you have seen her play hoops or soccer you know she can “FLY”. She is not afraid to get dirty in the field, and over the last two seasons she has been involved in 73 putouts, 101 assist, & 40 errors. Career wise, she currently ranks 4th in hits (71), 4th in runs (56).

 

Jr. Loren Zimmerman (.333, 30H, 27R, 29RBI, 3 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR .644SLG %) – If I had to pick one girl who has the most passion for competition that would be Loren, by far one of my favorite players. The 3rd baseman had a “breakout” year, leading the team in SLG%, RBI, 3B, HR (tied). While playing the “hot corner” the last two seasons she has 62 putouts, 104, assist, & 23 errors. Career wise, she currently ranks 2nd in 3B (5), tied 1st in HR (5), 5th in RBI (43).

 

Jr. Sarah Neace (23AP, 9-9, 122IP, 97K, 3.55ERA) – After suffering a concussion on a “comebacker” in the 2nd game of the season, Sarah missed the next 10 days recovering. However, she bounced back for a very productive season. While she is not the fastest pitcher in NKY, she does a nice job of keeping the ball low which results in a lot of ground balls. This is evident by all the putouts and assists by the infield over the last two seasons. Career wise, she currently ranks 2nd & 3rd in just about every pitching category behind Danielle Hausfeld and Courtney Sandfoss.

 

Jr. Morgan Martini (.294, 25H, 21R, 18RBI, 3 3B) – An injury keep Morgan from being a starter in her freshmen season, however she made the most of her sophomore campaign. Splitting duties between 1st base and centerfield she was a solid fit at both spots, has she possessed speed and a very above average arm in center. Hitting wise she has some “pop” in her bat and a summer season of travel ball should help this season.

 

Fr. Haley Meyers (12AP, 33IP, 4-2, 35K, 4.58ERA) – Has an 8th grader, Haley was called upon to fill in for Sarah Neace because of her suffering a concussion. By far the hardest thrower on the Breds staff, she does have a streak of “wildness” that rears its ugly head. However, there is SO much upside to the potential of this young lady. She will probably share the mound this season, but is such an athlete, that she can play any position.

 

So. Alexa Kehoe (.421, 8H, 5R, 6RBI) – The sophomore made some spot starts during the season and played in 16 games in the outfield, while proving she could play there. At the plate she made the most of her appearances, many of which were pinch hit roles. However she had .500 on base % with 2 sac bunts. As the primary JV pitcher she did a “damn good job”, looking for another great season at both levels for the young Miss Kehoe.

 

2014 Newport Catholic Fastpitch

 

Mar 17 Bracken County

Mar 19 Dayton

Mar 20 Highlands

Mar 24 Beechwood

Mar 26 Newport

Mar 27 Simon Kenton

Mar 28 at Softball City Uncle Pete Noll Invitational

Mar 29 at Softball City Uncle Pete Noll Invitational

 

Apr 1 Walton-Verona at Florence Freedom

Apr 1 Presentation at Florence Freedom

Apr 2 Boone County

Apr 3 Harrison County

Apr 4 Madison Southern at Rockcastle County Where's the Beach Classic

Apr 5 South Laurel at Rockcastle County Where's the Beach Classic

Apr 5 Rowan County at Rockcastle County Where's the Beach Classic

Apr 7 Ludlow 9th Region All "A" Regional

Apr 8 TBA All "A" Regional

Apr 10 TBA All "A" Regional

Apr 11 TBA All "A" Regional

Apr 14 Walnut Hills (Cincinnati), OH

Apr 16 Holy Cross (Covington)

Apr 21 Bellevue

Apr 22 Dixie Heights

Apr 24 Lloyd Memorial

Apr 25 Ryle

Apr 29 St. Henry

Apr 30 Beechwood

 

May 1 Bishop Brossart

May 2 Highlands

May 6 Holmes

May 8 Cooper

May 12 Notre Dame

May 13 Campbell County

May 14 Scott

May 16 Boone County

Forgot to mention, the Breds will be playing at a new field this season, NewCath has been given control of Newport Vets #2 field. The NewCath PABO (Parent Athletic Booster Organization) has given the softball team $2500 to install a fence. Home plate was moved up and fences will be 200 feet, and the poles are already in place for the fence as we speak. Additionally, a storage building with a possible "press box" is in the works.

 

A big tip of the cap to Head Coach Denny Barnes for his continuous effort to get this done. :ylsuper:

Really nice Lawnboy!

 

Love the schedule...looks like you guys have a ton of games. How many games can you schedule?

I think you can play up to 36 before district play begins. We still have two open dates, one week day and one weekend to fill in. Looking forward to playing games on the turf at Florence Freedom.

I think you can play up to 36 before district play begins. We still have two open dates, one week day and one weekend to fill in. Looking forward to playing games on the turf at Florence Freedom.

 

Just like Beechwood!

I think you can play up to 36 before district play begins. We still have two open dates, one week day and one weekend to fill in. Looking forward to playing games on the turf at Florence Freedom.

 

Questions about Florence Freedom games? Do they install a temp fence? Do they take out the mound? How do they adjust for the shorter bases? What about the rock backstop?

Questions about Florence Freedom games? Do they install a temp fence? Do they take out the mound? How do they adjust for the shorter bases? What about the rock backstop?

 

Almost have to put up fences, every gap shot would be a home run. My guess is they leave the mound and players will just have to adjust to balls hit up the middle. Its a turf field so they can just throw down heavy bases.

Questions about Florence Freedom games? Do they install a temp fence? Do they take out the mound? How do they adjust for the shorter bases? What about the rock backstop?

 

They will have temporary fence at 200 feet, the mound is removable, and they have portable backstop. Also, they have "insets" in the turf every 10 feet for "pegged" bases.

 

Now all we have to do is get fans to show up and support this opportunity. :thumb:

My DD played at Florence Freedom her 7th grade year on a team in the Kenton Co. League. They put up the Orange netting as a temporary fence, but didn't have anything behind the catcher, so if it was a past ball, you ran for Days!! It was a great experience, good luck Lawnboy! Maybe if you sit up in the stands that will be far enough away from the players to not get the Bad Luck Vibes:lol:

My DD played at Florence Freedom her 7th grade year on a team in the Kenton Co. League. They put up the Orange netting as a temporary fence, but didn't have anything behind the catcher, so if it was a past ball, you ran for Days!! It was a great experience, good luck Lawnboy! Maybe if you sit up in the stands that will be far enough away from the players to not get the Bad Luck Vibes:lol:

 

 

:laugh: At times there are two girls that would wish that. :clap:

I can relate to that:D

HHS, Boone and St Henry will also be playing a Tri there on Tuesday, May 13th. I think it's great they are opening this up to the girls.

Mr. Lawnboy sir is it possible you can provide a detailed listing of the weaknesses of each girl at the plate and in the field. Thanks

Mr. Lawnboy sir is it possible you can provide a detailed listing of the weaknesses of each girl at the plate and in the field. Thanks

 

How's this........some seem to struggle against really good pitching, and some have the occasional "mental" lapse here and there, but this could be said about most teams.

Does anyone know, or know where to find the dates for the district & regional tournaments?