Highlands bows out of softball state tournament with 3-1 loss to Johnson Central

The Highlands Bluebirds dropped their state tournament first round game on Thursday morning to Johnson Central. The 3-1 score line was an improvement on last year's 8-0 first round exit, but head coach Milt Horner was more disappointed in this year's outcome.

"This year, we came down, we let them be loose going in, and I thought that was going to help us get going," Horner said.

Southwest Ohio lacrosse:Indian Hill girls, Mariemont boys lacrosse fall in Division II state semifinals.

More:Greater Cincinnati high school sports scores, May 30-June 3

Early defensive mistakes compounded to hurt the Bluebirds. Pitcher Kaitlyn Dixon misplayed a bunt to put the first two runners on in the second inning. Bailey Markus tripped trying to catch a fly ball, allowing a run to score. With two outs, Highlands caught Johnson Central in a pickle. They elected to go after Sophie Younce in between second and third, allowing Keylee Blair to score and give the Lady Eagles a 2-0 lead.

The deficit was only two, yet frustration was still present. In each of the first three innings, Highlands left a runner on third. Part of the Bluebirds' cause for frustration was Lady Eagles senior pitcher Madelyn Vaughn. She shut down the blue and white for seven innings, not allowing a hit or run until the sixth inning.

"We felt like that if we could control both edges of the plate, we liked her chances. Largely, she was able to do that and it kept them at bay," Johnson Central head coach Phil Estep said.

The Lady Eagles added to their lead in the fourth inning after a scary moment in the third. Dixon was hit on the side of her head with a line drive. She avoided serious injury as the ball glanced off her glove and face mask to lessen the blow.

Senior Kennedy Baioni, who hadn't pitched more than two innings in over a month, entered the circle and got out of a jam in the third. But she walked three and gave up a hit in the fourth as Johnson Central took a 3-0 lead. Dixon, who returned to the game at second base, re-entered the circle to retire the side.

Highlands posed their first real threat in the sixth inning when Markus singled and Morgan Pompilio walked. They were moved to second and third on a ground ball and Markus scored on a second ground ball. But for the fourth time, the Bluebirds stranded a runner on third.

"I think that's really tough," Horner said.

Highlands finishes with a record of 27-9-1 and will once again be a contender in 2024. They will only have two seniors in Markus and catcher Michelle Barth. They will also be older after starting four freshman and an eighth grader this year.

As the Ninth Region searches for its first state tournament win since 2017, Horner stressed the importance of growing the game in Northern Kentucky. The level of competition isn't as high as it is in other parts of the state, forcing Highlands to travel within the state or to Cincinnati to gain experience.

Numerous coaches have started fast pitch programs to get younger players acclimated with the game. Many families are only familiar with slow pitch softball, a trend the coaches want to reverse.

Standout players

Bailey Markus, Highlands: She reached base twice, had the Bluebirds' only hit of the game and scored their only run.

Madelyn Vaughn, Johnson Central: She pitched six innings of one-hit softball. She only struck out two batters, but only allowed five baserunners.

Senior shoutout

Baioni and Carley Cramer end their high school careers as one of the most successful senior classes in program history. They are the only two seniors to win back-to-back Ninth Region titles. In those two seasons, Highland went 43-24-1.

After a knee injury kept Baioni out of the pitching circle, she joined Cramer as a corner infielder to help shore up the Bluebirds' defense.

"Kennedy and Carly probably represent the most successful senior class ever at Highlands," Horner said. "They know what it's like to come down here and know what it takes to get back. So I hope that we can carry that forward."