Advertisement

Here are the top teams to watch in the KHSAA regional baseball brackets

james weber, cincinnati enquirer
·5 min read

The high school baseball postseason in Kentucky is getting down to crunch time.

Regional tournaments begin this weekend, with Northern Kentucky teams hoping to advance to the Sweet 16 of KHSAA baseball, beginning June 6 in Lexington.

Here is a look at the draws for the local regions:

More: 'One of the best that’s ever been here.' Mason's Jacob Hanley leads Comets baseball

Ryle sophomore A.J. Curry takes a swing as Ryle defeated Newport Central Catholic 8-5. The Raiders are 28-9 and ranked 17th in the state by Prep Baseball Report.
Ryle sophomore A.J. Curry takes a swing as Ryle defeated Newport Central Catholic 8-5. The Raiders are 28-9 and ranked 17th in the state by Prep Baseball Report.

9th Region Tournament

At Thomas More Stadium

Monday: Beechwood (22-13) vs. Conner (15-23), 10 a.m.; Dixie Heights (24-14) vs. Newport Central Catholic (12-18), 1 p.m.; Highlands (22-16) vs. Covington Catholic (30-5), 4 p.m.; Ryle (28-9) vs. St. Henry (13-17), 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Beechwood/Conner vs. Dixie/NCC, 5 p.m.; Highlands/CovCath vs. Ryle/St. Henry, 8 p.m.

Thursday: Championship game, 7 p.m.

What to watch: CovCath and Ryle have been the top two teams in the region all season. CovCath is ranked ninth in the state by Prep Baseball Report and Ryle 17th. Despite being two of the most consistently successful programs in Northern Kentucky, both have long title droughts: Ryle has not won the region since 2013 and CovCath since 2005. The teams split two close decisions this season, with CovCath winning 3-1 in Park Hills April 5 and Ryle prevailing 3-2 May 15 in Union.

They could meet In the semifinals after CovCath lost the 35th District final to Beechwood, 14-3. Beechwood has won the last four regional titles and has been up and down this season, but has the tools to make it five in a row. Beechwood is 1-1 against first-round opponent Conner, 0-2 against Dixie Heights and 2-1 against NewCath. Chase Flaherty leads the pitching at 7-0 with a 3.13 ERA.

Highlands, which won four straight regional titles from 2015-18, lost 7-3 to CovCath March 21 heading into their renewal of their ancient school-wide rivalry in the first round.

Covington Catholic is 30-5 this season and ranked ninth in the state by Prep Baseball Report.
Covington Catholic is 30-5 this season and ranked ninth in the state by Prep Baseball Report.

Dixie Heights is in the mix once again led by Sean Mitchell batting .373 with 29 RBI and 30 runs scored. Top pitchers are Kyle Flynn (7-2, 2.51) and Thomas Gemeinhardt (7-2, 1.88).

CovCath has three of the area’s top pitchers in Bradley Zekl (10-0, 1.79), Eli Wagner (7-0, 0.84) and Marcus Suwinski (4-1, 1.72), which could help them win three games in four days next week. Cincinnati commit Jackson Reardon is one of the state’s top hitters, batting .455 with 43 runs scored, 23 extra-base hits and 34 RBI.

Ryle sophomore A.J. Curry has made headlines by hitting .591 with five homers, 39 runs scored and 32 RBI. Ryle also has several strong pitchers led by Dylan McIntyre (5-0, 1.98, Sam Eppley (5-2, 2.18) and Caleb Mann (6-1, 2.44).

Zach Franzen is one of Campbell County's (20-12) top players, batting .400.
Zach Franzen is one of Campbell County's (20-12) top players, batting .400.

10th Region Tournament

At Bourbon County

Sunday: George Rogers Clark (26-11) vs. Scott (17-18), 1 p.m; Harrison County (23-7) vs. Mason County (17-15), 3:30 p.m.; Bracken County (17-8) vs. Bourbon County (20-8), 6 p.m.; Campbell County (20-12) vs. Nicholas County (16-16), 8:30 p.m.

Monday: GRC/Scott vs. Harrison/Mason, 1:30 p.m.; Bracken/Bourbon vs. Campbell/Nicholas, 4 p.m.

Tuesday: Championship game, 6 p.m.

What to watch: Campbell County is 7-0 against 10th Region teams, beating Nicholas County 11-0 and Bracken County 6-1 outside its 37th District schedule. The Camels have not played the other top contenders. The Camels last won the region in 2021 and 2022.

Campbell, which is 7-0 against the 10th Region teams, is led on offense by Tyler Schumacher hitting .413, Zach Franzen .400 and Carson Clark .368. All three have scored more than 25 runs and driven in more than 20. Clark has 32 stolen bases. Camden Tiemeier leads the Camels in RBI with 24.

The Camels have a deep and productive starting pitching staff with Franzen, Schumacher, Chris Bramley and Samuel Adams all having solid seasons.

Scott is led by Trevor Pulsfort hitting .354 with 33 RBI and 29 runs scored. Zach Sparks hits .324 with 24 RBI. Dylan Giffen hits .307 with 32 runs scored and 24 RBI, plus a team-high 16 steals.

Harrison County, led by Kentucky’s all-time winningest coach, Mac Whitaker, is the defending regional champs. The Thorobreds have won 14 straight and are 8-1 in region play.

GRC is 10-0 in region play. GRC, Scott and Harrison lead the region in offense averaging 7.4 runs per game. Campbell and Bourbon are right behind at 7.0. Bourbon has the best pitching staff, allowing only 2.4 runs per game. Harrison, GRC and Campbell are in the 3.4 range.

Simon Kenton's Logan Cones, a three-year starting pitcher, is 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA
Simon Kenton's Logan Cones, a three-year starting pitcher, is 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA

Eighth Region

Owen County (16-7) and Henry County (12-17) play in the 31st District final Thursday night, so the Regional pairings have not yet been set.

District champions: Simon Kenton (24-13), South Oldham (19-13), Woodford County (24-8).

District runners-up: Walton-Verona (21-10), North Oldham (11-20). Shelby County (14-18).

What to watch: Woodford County is ranked 24th in the state poll.

Simon Kenton lost 8-4 to Woodford on April 15. That was the only loss in regional play for the Pioneers, who beat Walton-Verona twice and Shelby County once (4-2) among teams in the regional tourney. Shelby County is the defending regional champion.

SK is led by Tyler Ruete, who has eight home runs and 35 RBI while batting .272. Evan Sheridan hits .316 with 48 runs scored and 33 steals. Daniel Uhl hits .314 with 28 RBI.

Logan Cones, a three-year starting pitcher, is 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA. Anthony Procaccino is 6-2, 1.60 and Caleb Uhl 3-3, 2.93.

Walton-Verona sophomore Bronson Corpus throws a pitch as Simon Kenton defeated Walton-Verona 9-1 in the KHSAA 32nd District championship game. He has hit six home runs.
Walton-Verona sophomore Bronson Corpus throws a pitch as Simon Kenton defeated Walton-Verona 9-1 in the KHSAA 32nd District championship game. He has hit six home runs.

The Bearcats have not played anyone in the regional tourney field besides the Pioneers.

Cayden Smithers and Bronson Corpus have six home runs apiece. Smithers has 32 RBI. Aiden Kerns hits. 360 with 30 RBI.

Corpus, Mason Howard and William Hurles lead the pitching staff. Corpus is 5-4 with a 1.52 ERA. Howard is 7-3, 0.89 and has 21 career wins for a school record.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Take a look at the KHSAA regional baseball brackets and matchups