horst muhlmann

Raisor was sharp with 9 Ks and only one walk in 4 innings. Gave up a lead off single in the bottom of the first and left him stranded at 3rd with 2 Ks to end the inning. No scoring threats after that. Birds banged out 12 hits in 5 innings.

SO to former Birds pitcher Ben Vermeil for making the trip from USC to catch the game today. #birdsforlife .

Great outing by Rick Raisor. 4 IP. 2 hits 1 BB 9 Ks. Coaches were able to get the entire roster (save PO Mitchell Jones) in the game. Big 3 rbi 2B by DJ Mills in the 1st and the Birds were off to the races. Birds scored in every inning but the 5th. I think every starter may have had at least 1 hit. Shout out to JR John Penrod on his first varsity hit and rbi. Kenny Ball and Jacob Noe both had pinch hit rbi doubles.

Based on the score I would presume Lawrence did not pitch for Pioneers. CCH 2-0 out for gate.

Tuesday 3/31 at 10:00 am at Pelicans Field Wednesday 4/1 at 8:30 pm at Ripken Thursday 4/2 at 3:00 pm at Ripken Friday 4/3 at 3:00 & 6:00 pm at Ripken.

For those social media folks on Twitter -- @HHSdirtybirds will be posting updates on Twitter all week.

Dixie and Ludlow are the favorites to be the district reps in the region this year

Birds' pitching is definitely a strength this season. Two wins and Raisor and Martin haven't even toed the rubber yet.

Colin Suttles with the home run.

Birds pitchers persevered in less than ideal conditions, with freezing pellets to start the game and then rain until the latter innings. Whitford got the scoring started in the 1st with a seeing eye single up the box, scoring Murray who had walked to lead off the game. Murray reached base all 4 times with 2 BB and 2 HBP. Mills was 2-3 with the HR to CF to plate Whitford and the 3-0 lead. Mills also had a rocket to the left field wall for a 2B. Joe Martin also had a 2B for the Birds. Bunning earned the win going 4 innings (55 pitches), striking out 5 and walking 2 while allowing 1 earned run. Ball pitched 2 scoreless innings and Jake Noe notched the save striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced in the 7th. Was a bit surprised that the Beechwood staff allowed Stringer to throw so many pitches this early in the season. By our count he threw > 80 pitches. The 2 relievers for Beechwood did a nice job of holding serve. One of the Beechwood parents said the 1st reliever was a sophomore (#15) and the other was #7 . Tried to get their names off the KHSAA.org website but neither number is listed. Birds scheduled to host Ryle on Wednesday at Highland Park.

Hope Highlands gets Pulaski in the semi-finals this year so all this belly aching can cease....

The Birds take the opener for both teams at Highland Park this afternoon. Only caught the 1st three innings but both squads played good defense and the pitching was solid. Games was moved from Moscher due to the standing water on NCC's home field. Kuddos to the Highlands coaching staff and other volunteers for getting the field ready. It was nice to hear the crack of the bat and dugout chatter that accompanies this rivalry.

Although not exactly sure, the final was something like 8-2 or 8-3 Highlands. Conner did throw multiple pitchers. The only 3 I recognized were Ostertage, Craddock and Ward. Blaise did play some SS after pitching the 1st inning. Highlands had Jones, Bunning, Martin, Kreeger and Raisor throw 1 inning each and Ball and Noe each threw 2/3 of an inning (due to time constraints). For the most part the Birds did a nice job of making solid contact seeing live pitching for the 1st time since last fall. Conner seemed to struggle a bit offensively. Highlands' pitching is a definite strength this year. In Conner's defense though they have to replace several very talented seniors from last season who graduated.

Good to knock some of the rust off today by the Birds in the scrimmage vs. Conner. 7 pitchers worked for the Birds allowing 1 earned run in 6+ innings. Game was called after 2 hours.

A NCC parent recently told me that Pangallo is being recruited by UK. If that is indeed the case then good luck to him.

NewCath plays Lexington Catholic and St X today and tomorrow at LexCath. Nothing like starting the season with No 1 and 5 in the state.

Zero seniors. I think the Anderson twins (juniors) live in Ft. Thomas.

Wow. That's a lot of decisions. I think the most starts any one pitcher made for Highlands was 7 last season. Congrats to that young man and hope we get to see him pitch before he goes to Western

With both losses to district rival Holy Cross... I guess Holmes is rooting for Highlands in this semi-final so they can avoid the Indians again.

Agree with Sweep. Best players should make the team period, regardless of class. If a kid takes a year or two or four off and can make an impact then he should play. I agree with others that it may be a bit more difficult in baseball though. Heck I know one current Highlands senior who came back to football after a 2 year hiatus and made an immediate and meaningful impact this past season. If he replaced a junior or other senior who felt he was bypassed because of his decision to play then so be it. Everyone doesn't get a trophy. Go Birds.

Good things come to those who wait. Official rosters not likely until 2/25 or later.

DL DJ Mills, Highlands, NAIA Lindsey Wilson, joining his teammate OL Lou Bunning in Columbia.

Congrats to Bailey Cummins of Bracken County for breaking the Polar Bears' all time scoring record late in the 4th quarter. Great player. As for the Birds, biggest girl on the floor tonight was mighty mite 4'11" Whitney Quillen, with 10 points and 2 threes in the first half. Her energy is contagious. Small in stature but big in energy and fight. Watching from the stands every player was genuinely excited for Whit Quil's performance. With McKenzie Leigh's absence Whit and Kirsten Clukey are making the most of their playing time. The Birds defense was stellar tonight with several players logging steals and on offense making the extra pass. Wasn't counting but likely 20 assists for the Birds tonight. As John Calpari is fond of saying, what are you doing to help the team win when you aren't scoring. Several birds fit that bill tonight. Good team win.

Back in the day Maysville High School was an excellent program with some tremendous athletes.

This score tells me Holmes wanted to send a message to the rest of the 9th region. Expected a Holmes win big but not a 50+ point blowout.