One of the most dominant softball dynasties in Northern Kentucky softball history has another trophy to add to the case.
With a 9-2 win over Ryle, the Highlands Bluebirds captured their fourth Ninth Region title in the last five years. In that span, they’ve gone 74-5 against regional opponents.
Highlands was the heavy favorite to win the region this year after a heartbreaking loss to Holy Cross in 2025. The Bluebirds lived up to the billing by beating nine regional opponents in run-rule fashion.
“These girls bought into everything so we could eliminate the mistakes and not make it close,” Highlands head coach Milt Horner said.
Horner was bombarded with a water shower and firecrackers went off after the game.
After a quiet first inning, the ‘Birds got all the offense they would need in the second inning. Bailee Class got it started, driving in her twin sister, Kate, with a bases-loaded single. Layla Zepf followed with a walk before Payton Brown delivered the biggest blow, a two-run double.
Brown hit another RBI double in the fourth inning to break the program record for career doubles; she now has 67, surpassing Shelby Graybill’s record of 66 from 2013-2016. Brown also holds program records for career triples, home runs and total hits.
“I really want to leave an impact, especially on the younger girls and show them that hard work really does pay off because I was once their age and I always looked up to the older girls, saying, ‘Wow, I want to be like them one day.’ It’s just really awesome creating records for them to work hard for to beat,” Brown said.
Ryle responded with two runs in the fourth thanks to a single from Emily Gehring and a double from Korlin Rechtin. Both runners scored on an error by Highlands first baseman Katherine Heilman. The Raiders would only get one runner on base the rest of the game.
In the circle, Kaitlyn Dixon capped off a truly special career against regional opponents. She struck out 14 batters, bringing her tournament total to 44 and earning her Most Valuable Player honors for the second time. At one point, she recorded eight straight outs by sending Raider hitters back to the dugout, bat in hand. She only allowed four hits and both of Ryle’s runs were unearned.
“I feel like it’s a testament to how much work I’ve put in outside of practices and the season. It’s nice to see it pay off,” Dixon said.
Ryle head coach David Meier added: “When you’re facing Dixon, your chances are limited.”
Saluting Ryle’s 4 seniors
The Raiders say goodbye to Makenna Hirshey, Karysa Lowery, Rayne Patsel and Brooklyn Roland. They led Ryle to its first Ninth Region championship game since 2018, even after the Raiders lost five straight games entering the postseason.
“(I told them) that I was proud of them, and that if it didn’t hurt so much, it didn’t mean so much. They were very upset. We’re losing four great seniors,” Ryle head coach David Meier said.
Who will Highlands play in the first round of the state tournament?
The Bluebirds will play South Laurel at the University of Kentucky John Cropp Stadium at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 4.
The Cardinals defeated Corbin 10-0 to win the 13th Region. They are 36-5 this season and have won 15 games in a row. They last appeared in the state tournament in 2023.
Highlands will try to become the first Ninth Region team to win a state tournament game since Notre Dame did so in 2017. The Bluebirds have won 26 of their last 27 games after starting 7-5.
“We know we can play with anybody,” Horner said.
2026 Ninth Region All-Tournament Team in softball
Emma Kevill, Newport Central Catholic; Breanna Meredith, Conner; Cam Kratzer, Villa Madonna; Zoey Baker, Holy Cross; Sydney Schumacher, Dixie Heights; Lucy Dillon, Notre Dame; Kiley Patterson, Ryle; Brooklyn Roland, Ryle; Kate Class, Highlands; Payton Brown, Highlands; Kaitlyn Dixon (MVP), Highlands
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Highlands softball dynasty grows with win over Ryle in Ninth Region
Reporting by Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
