By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Beechwood’s baseball team added a dramatic win to its impressive record Monday when the Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Covington Catholic, 6-5, in the 35th District final at Meinken All-Star Field in Covington.
A two-out single by Beechwood senior Devin Johnson scored the deciding run in the walk-off win that lifted his team’s record to 34-1, the best mark in the state. CovCath’s record slipped to 22-16, which includes six losses by a one-run margin.
After his game-winning hit, Beechwood senior Devin Johnson, left, celebrates with teammate Jackson Noll. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Beechwood took a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning when Johnson’s sacrifice fly drove in one run. CovCath tied the score in the top of the seventh on a two-run double by senior Jack Coldiron, who also hit a home run in the game. That set the stage for Johnson’s game-winning heroics.
John Odom, Logan Castleman, Clay Trusty and Johnson each had two hits for the Tigers. Junior pitcher Carter Noah got the win to maintain his perfect record.
Both teams advance to next week’s 9th Region tournament at UC Health Stadium in Florence. The eight-team field will also include Boone County, Ryle, Dixie Heights, St. Henry, Newport Central Catholic and Highlands, the four-time defending champion.
A draw will be held on Wednesday or Thursday to set up the bracket for the regional tournament. First-round games are expected to be scheduled on May 26 or 27.
Simon Kenton earned a berth in the 8th Region baseball tournament to be played on its home field. Campbell County and Scott qualified for the 10th Region tournament at Montgomery County.
The field for next week’s 9th Region fast-pitch softball tournament won’t be completed until Tuesday when Highlands plays Bellevue in the 36th District semifinals. The seven teams that have already clinched regional berths are Conner, Ryle, Dixie Heights, St. Henry, Holy Cross, Notre Dame and Dayton.
Simon Kenton and Walton-Verona will advance to next week’s 8th Region softball tournament at Simon Kenton. The two local teams that make it to the 37th District finals will qualify for the 10th Region tournament at Campbell County.
Teammates face off in 9th Region boys tennis finals
The finalists in the 9th Region boys tennis tournament knew each other very well when they stepped on the court Monday at Covington Catholic.
Covington Latin senior Toshi Watanabe defeated his younger brother Kazu, 6-2, 6-1, to take the regional singles final for the second consecutive year. In doubles, brothers Benito and Cristiano Trojani of CovCath defeated teammates Luke McHale and David Schlachter, 6-3, 6-1, to repeat as champions.
Toshi and the Trojani brothers could be among the top seeds in the boys state tennis tournament that begins May 30 in Lexington. Last year, they all made it to the quarterfinals in their respective brackets.
CovCath won the boys regional team title for the 18th consecutive year and CovLatin placed second in the team standings for the first time.
Highlands sweeps Class 2A regional track team titles
Highlands swept the boys and girls team titles in the Class 2A regional track & field meet on Saturday at Harrison County High School.
The girls team won six events and placed second in seven others to finish on top in the point standings. The outstanding performer was junior Adriana Muntaner. She won the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 200 dash and was on a second-place relay team.
The boys team won only two events, but the Bluebirds managed to collect enough points in all the others to finish first. They opened the meet with a victory in the 4×800 relay and Connor Rust placed first in the long jump.
Two distance runners from local schools were double-winners in the regional meet. Scott junior Will Sandlin won the boys 800 and 1600 runs. Highlands sophomore Maggie Schroeder won the girls 800 and 3200 runs. The regional high jump champions were Scott seniors Summer Secrist and Nathan Joyce.
