Give you a break on HHS? They only graduated 5 off a team that played for the regional championship and of those 5 only 3 played in that championship game (Allen, Hergott and Gesenhues). The other 8 players that batted in that game were juniors. Two of the three pitchers were juniors (Martin and Bunning) and one was a sophomore (Raisor). That is a lot of talent that is returning with experience!

 

Just want to add that Jones returns as well to pitch for HHS. He pitched in the regional final after missing 9 weeks due to injury, and has pitched in the last 3 regional tournaments.

 

For those that believe Highlands is not legit , nku's post demonstrates that belief is a mistake.

 

And with that I realized I posted the participants in the semi-final game for Highlands and not the finals (hence the reason Jones was not listed). But I believe the starters would still be the same. And yes, Jones is very good!

 

And with that I realized I posted the participants in the semi-final game for Highlands and not the finals (hence the reason Jones was not listed). But I believe the starters would still be the same. And yes, Jones is very good!

 

You are correct, 6 of the 8 every day starters return.

 

* The C (Hennigan) has been starting since 8th Grade. An absolute wall behind the plate and a very underrated hitter.

 

* The SS (Whitford) is a 4 year starter, and played in the Jr All-State game last year.

 

* Ramey (3B) and Martin (P/1B) have started since their sophomore year. Both are serious next level players. Ramey's exit velo off the tee was 91mph last week. Martin's velo on the mound absolutely blew up over the spring/summer. I clocked him consistently at 84-88 during the fall. And, he is a solid hitter as well.

 

* Murray (LF), Venneman (CF), Ball (DH), and Mills (1B/DH) are back for the second year as full-time starters. The first two cover major ground and are very aggressive on the base paths. Mills is a potential HR every time he steps to the plate. Ball really stepped it up last year and had many key hits.

 

* HHS has a very unique thing (at least in NKY) in that their staff is comprised of many players that are basically PO's. Jones, Raisor, Bunning, and Noe all are quality pitchers who return with significant experience. Plus, they have a nice mix of rightys and leftys, which they can use to their advantage in terms of matchups.

 

* There will be major competition for spots - especially at 2B and RF. Lots of candidates to fill those roles. Remember, the JV won the regional tournament last year with a loaded class of juniors. They will compete not only for the 2B and RF spots, but their talents will challenge those that started last year.

 

In short, this team is a serious threat to win the 9th. I think their main issue is doing the little things better. They must play better defense. Frankly, last year, it was a weakness. They need to get more bunts down, move runners over, etc. They need to hit more consistently and have more quality AB's. But, the pieces are there. Can they be beat? Absolutely. But they'll be fun to watch.

Last season, Highlands went out of town on Spring Break and got a lot of games in while everyone else, sat watching the rain. I think that trip helped them get started. Are they planning another trip this season?

Last season, Highlands went out of town on Spring Break and got a lot of games in while everyone else, sat watching the rain. I think that trip helped them get started. Are they planning another trip this season?

 

Their schedule on KHSAA does not have anything scheduled for that week so it's possible.

 

Highlands 2015 Kentucky High School Baseball

Last season, Highlands went out of town on Spring Break and got a lot of games in while everyone else, sat watching the rain. I think that trip helped them get started. Are they planning another trip this season?

 

Yes, they are going back to Myrtle Beach. I agree with you that since this trip was implemented (2012), it has been a major benefit to the program. They see great competition, and it's a great team building experience.

 

HHS' schedule is loaded this year. In addition to the NKY competition and what they see in MB, they play Moeller, Elder, Cincy St. X., LaSalle, Trinity, Lex Cath, Henry Clay, and Boyle County. I'll give Coach B major credit for his schedule. Even when the program was struggling, he played a tough schedule. Iron sharpens iron.

Their schedule on KHSAA does not have anything scheduled for that week so it's possible.

 

Highlands 2015 Kentucky High School Baseball

 

They're going. I don't believe Coach B enters those games on the KHSAA site until Ripken informs him who HHS will play.

top returning SK players Sean Lawrence, Price burge, Trent Kincaid, Colton Downs, Logan Scott,

I will be very surprised if Highlands is not State Champs this yr in baseball, not putting any pressure on them just stating the obvious facts, they are that good...jmo.

 

This Sr group is the one Baioni has been waiting for going on 4 yrs now and anything less than to win it all will be disappointing to say the least...

 

To win you have to have the pitching and Highlands is loaded with Sr pitchers:thumb:

top returning SK players Sean Lawrence, Price burge, Trent Kincaid, Colton Downs, Logan Scott,

 

Lefty, why does all of your comments revolve around Kincaid?... a smart man would think you are dad or Trent himself. Dial it back a notch.

I will be very surprised if Highlands is not State Champs this yr in baseball, not putting any pressure on them just stating the obvious facts, they are that good...jmo.

 

This Sr group is the one Baioni has been waiting for going on 4 yrs now and anything less than to win it all will be disappointing to say the least...

 

To win you have to have the pitching and Highlands is loaded with Sr pitchers:thumb:

It's hard to win State, depends on pitching and the draw... Not to mention a little all around luck. You can kill a ball and hit it right at a defender all day. Baseball is a funny game. But I agree that Highlands has a legit shot and Baioni has done a heck of a job over there...

I will be very surprised if Highlands is not State Champs this yr in baseball, not putting any pressure on them just stating the obvious facts, they are that good...jmo.

 

This Sr group is the one Baioni has been waiting for going on 4 yrs now and anything less than to win it all will be disappointing to say the least...

 

To win you have to have the pitching and Highlands is loaded with Sr pitchers:thumb:

 

Baseball is the toughest sport to predict. All it takes is running into a hot pitcher, your bats going cold, and boom you're done in a one and out. Just look at all the surprise teams in the sweet sixteen last year. With one and out, the best team doesn't always win in baseball.

Baseball is the toughest sport to predict. All it takes is running into a hot pitcher, your bats going cold, and boom you're done in a one and out. Just look at all the surprise teams in the sweet sixteen last year. With one and out, the best team doesn't always win in baseball.

 

Baseball is by far the toughest to predict! One bad inning and you can be done. Just ask Dixie. They were clear-cut favorites going into the regions last year but failed to make it to the finals and were almost beat in the opening round.

 

It would be great if there were some way to have a multi-game playoff system but it is just impractical.

Baseball is by far the toughest to predict! One bad inning and you can be done. Just ask Dixie. They were clear-cut favorites going into the regions last year but failed to make it to the finals and were almost beat in the opening round.

 

It would be great if there were some way to have a multi-game playoff system but it is just impractical.

 

There is a proposal at the state level to class baseball into 4 classes which then allows for small series to determine a champion. I haven't seen the proposal but from what I hear, it is very thorough and supported with a lot of research.

There is a proposal at the state level to class baseball into 4 classes which then allows for small series to determine a champion. I haven't seen the proposal but from what I hear, it is very thorough and supported with a lot of research.

 

Would love to see this. If you classify baseball, you could move to a system like that used in the CWS - 4 team, double elimination "pods" that can be conducted over a weekend (7 games max at each pod site, max any team could play is 5 games to win out of the loser's bracket). Assume you use 8 "pods" to generate Elite 8 and then 2 "pods" (East / West) to generate finalists and then have those finalists play best 2/3 for the Championship, you could have 32 teams in each class make the playoffs (total of 128). How to determine those 32 in each class? That is where it gets tricky.

 

Would certainly put a premium on "depth" of pitching rather than 1 or 2 studs at the top of a rotation.

There is a proposal at the state level to class baseball into 4 classes which then allows for small series to determine a champion. I haven't seen the proposal but from what I hear, it is very thorough and supported with a lot of research.

This is a very interesting thought... I'd love to see it happen.