A packed house at the Bird Cage tonight saw the same score as last year's District final score, however the Birds got revenge and beat NewCath 2-1. NewCath's freshman pitcher Haley Meyers throws a 2-hitter only to take the loss. On the flip side, Highland's 8th grade pitcher, Miranda Mason, had the Breds batters in a "funk", as they were out in front on most pitches and only collected 5 hits for the game. There were some very good defensive plays turned in by both teams in this one as well. Both 3rd basemen, Highland's Whitney Quillen and NewCath's Loren Zimmerman with some very nice plays, but the both centerfielders get the top nod, Highland's Ashley Grosser and NewCath's Morgan Martini with diving catches and Martini's would be a DP.

 

NewCath had their chance in the 1st two innings to score with runners on 2nd & 3rd and bases loaded in the 2nd, but come up empty.

 

Highland would get one in the 1st with one out, Haley Coffey with a dribbler in front of the mound, but Meyers throw to 1st gets past Sarah Neace and rolls down the rigthfield line and Coffey gets to 3rd. Then the Battle of the Co-Players of the Year in Division II takes place as Meyers and Highland's Shelby Graybill go to war. Graybill fights off about 5 pitches with 2 strikes, but Meyers gets her swinging. Kendell Turner steps up with 2-out and on a 1-2 pitch, Meyers throws one in the dirt that gets far enough away from Kristen Schreiber to allow Coffey to race home.

 

The NewCath 2nd started with 2 outs, but a Molly Mertle single to right, followed by a Meyers walk, and a Ware "nubber" off the end of the bat and the Breds have'em loaded. However, Casey Kohls hits one hard to Haely Coofey at SS, and the threat is over.

 

NewCath would get it's only run of the game and tie it up in the 4th. Taylor Burkart gets a 4-pitch walk to lead the inning off (Lexi Potts running), following a K, Potts moves to 2nd on a GO4-3, and would score on Haley Meyers RBI single to right.

 

Highlands would grab the lead for good in the 5th. With one out, Gabbard who was down in the count 0-2, works a walk out of Meyers. Daley Sac-bunt, Gabbard to 2nd. Peyton Leigthy hits one to Zimmerman at 3rd, who fields clean and fires to Neace at 1st, but she comes off the bag early at 1st and in the confusion Pinch runner Brooke Dill races home and the Birds are staked to a 2-1 advantage.

 

The Breds would get their only hit over the last 3 innings in the 6th, to pose any sort of threat. With one out, Taylor Burkart would single to left, but 2 consecutive groundouts ended any hope for a run.

 

NewCath (18-10) 0-0-0-1-0-0-0---1-5-2

Highlands (23-11) 1-0-0-0-1-0-X---2-2-1

 

All-Tournament Team

 

Kira Ross - Bellevue

Sam Nellis - Dayton

Katlyn Hoeh - Newport

Loren Zimmerman - Newport Catholic

Taylor Burkart - Newport Catholic

Brennah Dutcher - Highlands

Whitney Quillen - Highlands

 

36th District Tournament MVP

Miranda Mason - Highlands :dancingpa

Meyers 2 hits, 1 walk, 5 K's

Mason 5 hits, 2 walks, 1 K

 

Congrats to both pitchers on throwing great games.

I would not have guessed that the final score would not have 2-1!

Edited May 23, 201412 yr by mcpapa

Congrats to Miranda. Well done!!!!

From my vantage point (just to the home plate side of your dugout), the "dribbler" in the first inning was a foul ball. It hit her foot. Great game though! Absolutely beautiful facilities!

 

It was nice to meet lawildcat and the Mr. Tonight. mr. wildcat out kicked his coverage!!

I tell him that all the time! :lol:

 

Great to meet you too, LC!

A close one in the Bird Cage tonight. Good crowd, overall well behaved bunch. The Quillen girl must have fielded every other ball hit, nice corner. Miranda Mason pitched well and what a great experience for her.

 

From where I stood, on the first base side behind home, I believed the ball hit her foot and according to some the third base umpire said he had it, although he didn't kill the play. I thought for sure when the crew got together they were going to reverse it, but didn't. It's not an easy call sometimes on the foot fouls.

 

NCC had some opportunities but couldn't capitalize. A well played game.

 

The facilities are outstanding. Lots of room behind home plate, well padded, high backstop and I really like the higher fence completely enclosing the dugouts. Well done HHS.

 

Good luck to both teams in the Region.

 

Did get to meet LCDAWG and lawildcat tonight after the game. Felt good knowing that there are other sports nuts willing to go see a game just for game.

From my vantage point (just to the home plate side of your dugout), the "dribbler" in the first inning was a foul ball. It hit her foot. Great game though! Absolutely beautiful facilities!

 

It was nice to meet lawildcat and the Mr. Tonight. mr. wildcat out kicked his coverage!!

 

Talked to the umpires after the game and all 3 agreed it didn't not hit her foot. Talked to Coach Coffey and his daughter said it did not hit her foot. Myself and Coach Barnes also said it did not hit her foot. While the ball took a fun bounce and sounded "odd" coming off the bat, many times when the ball comes off the bat at the handle it will sound like that.

 

Two great teams play another "classic", and it all came down to defense, as it usually does when these two hook up.

From my vantage point (just to the home plate side of your dugout), the "dribbler" in the first inning was a foul ball. It hit her foot. Great game though! Absolutely beautiful facilities!

 

It was nice to meet lawildcat and the Mr. Tonight. mr. wildcat out kicked his coverage!!

 

Again, so close, but no meeting. :facepalm:

Another 1 run game between these 2 teams! Both girls pitched GREAT GAMES and there D played hard behind them! Wouldn't it be fun to have a rematch in the regional finals!

Talked to the umpires after the game and all 3 agreed it didn't not hit her foot. Talked to Coach Coffey and his daughter said it did not hit her foot. Myself and Coach Barnes also said it did not hit her foot. While the ball took a fun bounce and sounded "odd" coming off the bat, many times when the ball comes off the bat at the handle it will sound like that.

 

Two great teams play another "classic", and it all came down to defense, as it usually does when these two hook up.

 

It is not hit her foot. Can see where people further to my left would have thought so.

Talked to the umpires after the game and all 3 agreed it didn't not hit her foot. Talked to Coach Coffey and his daughter said it did not hit her foot. Myself and Coach Barnes also said it did not hit her foot. While the ball took a fun bounce and sounded "odd" coming off the bat, many times when the ball comes off the bat at the handle it will sound like that.

 

Two great teams play another "classic", and it all came down to defense, as it usually does when these two hook up.

 

I've been wrong before.

It is not hit her foot. Can see where people further to my left would have thought so.

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...and there you have it. The pictures don't lie.

It is not hit her foot. Can see where people further to my left would have thought so.

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Awesome pictures as always!