By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Two high school baseball teams that won regional championships last season showed that they’re serious contenders once again with impressive wins in district finals on Friday.
Campbell County seniors Cory Franzen, left, and Matt Reynolds each had two hits in the district final win over Brossart. (Photo from team’s Facebook page)
Campbell County, the defending 10th Region champion, defeated Brossart, 3-0, in the 37th District final behind the pitching of junior Carson Werrmann, who posted his first shutout of the season.
Highlands, the defending 9th Region champion, continued its recent scoring spree with an 11-4 win over Newport Central Catholic to claim the 36th district title.
The Bluebirds posted their fourth straight win to raise their record to 22-12. In those four games, they outscored their opponents, 42-10, with a net total of 45 hits.
Werrmann gave up two hits and had 10 strikeouts in the 37th District final to pick up his sixth win in eight decisions for Campbell County. This is his first season on the varsity pitching staff. He did not play on last year’s state runner-up team.
The Camels had nine hits against Brossart with seniors Cory Franzen and Matt Reynolds each getting two. Ethan Kramer drove in two runs on a ground out in the first inning and single in the fifth inning. The other run scored on a sacrifice fly by senior Collin Teegarden.
Campbell County will take a 29-5 record into next week’s 10th Region tournament. The Camels have won 13 of their last 15 games and both of the losses were by one run.
The winner and runner-up in each district advance to regional baseball tournaments to be played next week. Draws to determine first-round pairings will be held on Saturday.
The 9th Region tournament will begin Monday at UC Health Stadium in Florence and 10th Region games will be played at Harrison County High School. Simon Kenton and Walton-Verona qualified for the 8th Region baseball tournament to be played at Anderson County High School.
Baseball district playoff games
32nd District at Grant County
Walton-Verona 12, Grant County 1
Championship: Simon Kenton 11, Walton-Verona 1
36th District at Highlands
Championship: Highlands 11, Newport Central Catholic 4
37th District at Scott
Championship: Campbell County 3, Brossart 0
Softball district playoff games
32nd District at Walton-Verona
Championship: Simon Kenton 5, Grant County 2
33rd District at Conner
Championship: Conner 2, Boone County 1
34th District at Villa Madonna
Saturday – Championship: St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights, 11 a.m
36th District at Newport Vets Field
Championship: Newport Central Catholic 12, Highlands 5
37th District at Scott
Championship: Campbell County 11, Brossart 1
