Friday, May 11, 2001
NewCath seeks third straight slow-pitch title
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Jenny Mertle hopes to finish her 15th and final season as Newport Central Catholic's slow-pitch softball coach the way she has the previous two, as state champion.
The Thoroughbreds begin play in the state tournament at 4 p.m. today against Calvary Christian. The tourney, which consists of 16 Northern Kentucky teams, will be played at Kenton Lakes Softball Complex.
NewCath, trying to win its third straight state title, is chasing its fourth title in the past in five years. The Thoroughbreds also won in 1984 and 1997.
“I'm just going out to play the game the way it should be played - with the best of our ability,” senior pitcher Amy Meyers said “We were making (a perfect season) a goal at the beginning of the year.
“(Mertle's) like our mom. She knows how to coach us. She lets us play, but if it's not going her way, she can correct us and help us.”
Four years ago at Skyview Park in Frankfort, NewCath had to go through the losers bracket to get the title.
“Nine out of 10 starters were seniors,” Mertle said.
After a fifth-place finish behind Bishop Brossart in '98, NewCath beat Louisville Holy Cross twice to claim the crown in '99. Last year, the Thoroughbreds fell to Newport in the second round but beat Highlands twice for the championship.
“What we want to do this year (is) avoid the losers bracket,” Mertle said. “We want to win it the right way.”
NewCath appears to have enough offense to make the attempt.
Start with senior first baseman Erica Ziegler. Her .623 batting average and 37 RBI lead the team, Ziegler also has five doubles, four triples, two home runs and 35 runs scored.
“Last year she had knee surgery,” Mertle said. “She came on the end of the season and made the all-tournament state team. I'm batting her fourth this year.”
Meyers has a .506 average with six triples, five homers and 35 RBI. But Mertle has said Meyers' pitching and defense might have been stronger.
“She's left-handed, balls come in at a different angle,” Mertle said. “Being 6-foot tall and lanky, she covers the middle. Not too many balls get through up the middle.”
Mertle plans to be involved in high school sports next year. She will return for her 23rd season as volleyball coach, and she'll continue to work as a basketball official (she worked the girls state championship game in March); and she's trying to convince Louisville schools to field slow-pitch teams.
But Mertle said none of that will be as important as watching her son, freshman Michael, play for NewCath's baseball team.
“It's time to be a mom in the athletics way,” Mertle said.
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
4 p.m. - Beechwood vs. Villa Madonna; Calvary Christian vs. Newport Central Catholic; Silver Grove vs. Heritage Academy; Holmes vs. Newport.
5:30 p.m. - Campbell County vs. Bellevue; Holy Cross vs. Dayton; Lloyd vs. Dixie Heights; Ludlow vs. Grant County.
Losers bracket
7 p.m. - Beechwood/Villa Madonna loser vs. Calvary Christian/Newport Central Catholic loser; Silver Grove/Heritage Academy loser vs. Holmes/Newport loser.
8:30 p.m. - Campbell County/Bellevue loser vs. Holy Cross/Dayton loser; Lloyd/Dixie Heights loser vs. Ludlow/Grant County loser.
SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE
Winners bracket quarterfinals
9 a.m. - Beechwood/Villa Madonna winner vs. Calvary Christian/Newport Central Catholic winner; Silver Grove/Heritage Academy winner vs. Holmes/Newport winner; Campbell County/Bellevue winner vs. Holy Cross/Dayton winner; Lloyd/Dixie Heights winner vs. Ludlow/Grant County winner.
Winners bracket semifinals, noon
Losers bracket matches, 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Winners bracket final, 3 p.m.
Losers bracket final, 4:30 p.m.
Championship, 6 p.m. (followed by a second game if this is the losing team's first loss)
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NewCath seeks third straight slow-pitch title
