Any info about the game?

SR Cochran and JR Bunning got some maintenance work in advance of Thursday's district game vs Bellevue at HP. Kuddos to SO Conner Kreeger who pitched well for 4 innings in relief in his first varsity appearance, allowing no earned runs.

Mason (Ohio) 3, Highlands 0:

The Bluebirds (14-14) found themselves at .500 following their fourth straight loss Tuesday.

Highlands managed just four hits against the Comets. Jake Whitford had two of them. Mason scored once in the fifth and twice in the sixth.

Highlands plays host to Bellevue on Thursday. Game time is 5 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Tuesday Sports Briefs

SR Cochran looked sharp in his short stint and I would expect him to start on THU v. Bellevue. JR Bunning was less sharp, but as mentioned above both were simply getting work aiming toward THU.

 

SO Kreeger entered the game with bases loaded and 0 out (nothing like baptism by fire, huh?). Struckout the 1st batter on 3 pitches and then induced the next batter into a 4-6-3 DP (nice turn by JR Whitford on the play). Set Mason down 123 in the next inning. Allowed a run to score on a double after the leadoff guy reached on an error in the 5th. In the 6th, leadoff again reached on error, stole 2B and then scored on a bunt that was overthrown at 1B. That runner scored on a sac fly.

 

Kreeger showed good fundamentals, composure / mound presence, nice velocity and a solid breaking ball. If they need another arm as the regular season closes, I would give him another look.

 

Way too many errors on defense and Ks at bat. Mason had some nice arms, but nothing "untouchable." Birds have done all the preparation. They just need to put all of the phases together in a game (hopefully THU) and then continue to do it game after game.

Jeez, Jake Whitford seems to still be on a tear.

I believe they will also bring Raisor up if they need another arm to fill in. Ricky threw Saturday so JB was unable to use him yesterday.

It was Kreeger's turn in the rotation, but he has also been throwing the ball very well since returning from illness. Raisor would be a good option as well. Another kid that has thrown well at the JV level is Mark Walkenhorst. Does not throw hard, but is very pitch efficient. He closed the game at Dixie on Monday throwing 31 pitches over 3 complete innings.

I believe that I personally saw the first varsity appearance of every pitcher currently on HHS's roster, and Kreeger's was one of the best that I can remember. Seemed to show no nerves at all.

 

Oddly enough, I can remember at least two others who also entered with bases loaded for their first appearance.