Highlands was state runner up last year for the first time in school history and with many starters graduating, they are much less of a threat. Can Baioni get them there again this year?

No.

No.

No. I think they will have trouble getting out of the 9th region (which should be a fantastic tournament this year!)

Just about anything can happen in baseball, but my gut says "no".

They have top-notch pitching so anything is possible. Baseball is the least predictable sport.

Personally I feel that Rom has to become more consistent with his strike to ball ratio before Highlands has a chance to make a run at state (assuming they get that far). A few good varsity starts should boost his confidence in order to sustain a good ratio

I wouldn't want to face them in the regional. Having your kids peak at the right moment is a talent a lot of coaches lack.... Baioni isn't one of them.

Absolutely. They have the pitching to match up with any team in the 9th region. If they get out of the region, they will have as good a shot as anyone. Does anyone really think Simon Kenton was the second best team in the state in 2014 or Scott was one of the top 4 teams last year?

Absolutely. They have the pitching to match up with any team in the 9th region. If they get out of the region, they will have as good a shot as anyone. Does anyone really think Simon Kenton was the second best team in the state in 2014 or Scott was one of the top 4 teams last year?

Pitching rules have changed since SK's run... They rode 1 hot pitcher in the tourney.. Pitch counts won't allow a team to do that again.

Highlands has 2 or 3 solid pitchers, but if 1 of them has a really off outing, they're in trouble... Because the other top pitchers probably wouldn't be available due to the new pitch count rule.

That being said, anything can happen in baseball.

Pitching rules have changed since SK's run... They rode 1 hot pitcher in the tourney.. Pitch counts won't allow a team to do that again.

Highlands has 2 or 3 solid pitchers, but if 1 of them has a really off outing, they're in trouble... Because the other top pitchers probably wouldn't be available due to the new pitch count rule.

That being said, anything can happen in baseball.

If any team's top 2 or 3 pitchers has an off outing they are in trouble. Goes without saying.

If any team's top 2 or 3 pitchers has an off outing they are in trouble. Goes without saying.

Right, and that's why many are saying "no" as far as Highlands winning it. You're saying they have the pitching and I'm just pointing out, that's not as much of an advantage as it was before the new rule.

They lost a lot of hitting and defense the last couple of years too...

But point taken regarding Scott and SK... Neither were top teams in the State when they went on their runs... So, who knows?

Odds are against the Birds this season though.

Highlands has as good of a chance as anyone in the 9th region imo..

Not a chance replacing last years talent with much worse players.

team may have the worst Offense in NKY