By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Things started off well for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team Thursday.

But they did not stay that way as the Ashland Tomcats rallied for a 10-6 victory in the Cal Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach (S.C.). The Bluebirds fell to 6-3 with the loss.

Highlands outhit Ashland, 13-8. Brady Murray, Jake Whitford and Kenny Ball had two hits each for the Bluebirds. Whitford had two runs batted in and scored twice and Ball had a two-run double.

Jared Slone, Austin Kelley and Matt Vincent had two hits each to lead Ashland. Cameron Fritz led the Tomcats with three runs batted in.

Highlands jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the first inning. Evan Allen started the scoring. He reached on a fielder’s choice, moved to second on a wild pitch, took third when Todd Ramey singled and scored when Ben Vermeil singled.

Highlands scored its other two runs in that inning with the bases loaded. Ramey scored when Luke Hennigan was hit by a pitch and Whitford came home when Joseph Martin hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

Ashland came back to score once in the bottom of the first. Slone walked, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Slone then scored when Aaron Elam grounded out to first.

The Bluebirds came back to score one in the top of the second. Whitford singled home Murray. Highlands led 4-1 at this point.

But the Tomcats came back and scored five in the bottom of the second to go up 6-4. Drew O’Bryan scored on a fielder’s choice and Kelley scored when Slone hit a sacrifice fly to left. Fritz then hit a three-run double scoring Elam, Casey Clark and Evan Cox. Ashland added three in the bottom of the third to go up 9-4.

Ashland added another run in the fifth to extend the lead to 10-4. Vincent scored when Clark hit a sacrifice fly to left.

But Highlands did not give up. Ball doubled home Whitford and Vermeil to make the final score.

Highlands plays one final game in South Carolina on Friday. The Bluebirds take on Fordham Preparatory (New York) at 3 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Thursday Sports Briefs

Sounds like the Birds getting some great game experience in. Another great report from Michael. Thanks from the Hills!

Kind of odd they go to SC and play KY teams.

Kind of odd they go to SC and play KY teams.

 

My thoughts also...

Love seeing Ashland win this one.

 

Congrats on the win.

Ton of KY teams at Ripken this year. Spring Breaks must have lined up well. As to why? Did you check the weather and facilities in both locations this week. Varsity Birds got to play 6 games in 5 days. JV Birds played 1 game (maybe 2) and went bowling for a team building activity.

 

As for the game, JR Martin did not have his typical stuff or control. Lots of walks and working behind in counts. Credit Ashland for taking advantage and making it count. Birds defense and fundamentals were underwhelming as well. Good news was the offensive production and the ability to get work in with different combinations early in the season.