By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports writer
The two teams that played in the championship game of last year’s 9th Region baseball tournament will be first-round opponents in this year’s playoffs that begin Monday at UC Medical Center Stadium in Florence.
Defending regional champion Highlands (22-12) will take on Beechwood (28-9) at 1 p.m. Monday. The Bluebirds won last year’s title game, 7-1, and they blanked the Tigers, 6-0, in a regular season game on May 3.
The other first-round match-ups on Monday are Cooper vs. St. Henry, 10 a.m.; Dixie Heights vs. Newport Central Catholic, 4 p.m. and Conner vs. Covington Catholic, 7 p.m.
Cooper (18-11) will be making its debut in the regional tournament. The Jaguars won back-to-back 33rd District playoff games on Thursday to earn a spot in the regional bracket for the first time.
The first round of the 9th Region softball tournament is scheduled for Monday at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Newport and includes a showdown between the two teams with the best records in Northern Kentucky.
Boone County (21-7) will play Newport Central Catholic (24-10) at 3 p.m. Monday. The veteran pitchers in that match-up will likely be Boone County junior Olivia Jackson and NewCath senior Haley Meyers.
The other 9th Region softball games on Monday will be Dixie Heights vs. Highlands, 11 a.m.; Conner vs. Holy Cross, 1 p.m.; and Notre Dame vs. St. Henry, 5 p.m. Highlands is the defending regional champion.
Baseball regional tournaments
9th Region at UC Medical Center Stadium, Florence
Monday
Cooper vs. St. Henry, 10 a.m.
Highlands vs. Beechwood, 1 p.m.
Dixie Heights vs. Newport Central Catholic, 4 p.m.
Covington Catholic vs. Conner, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 5 and 7 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
10th Region at Harrison County High School
Monday
Nicholas County vs. Brossart, 10:30 a.m.
Clark County vs. Bracken County, 1 p.m.
Mason County vs. Harrison County, 3:30 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Bourbon County, 6 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 5:30 and 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 6:30 p.m.
8th Region at Anderson County High School
Monday
Simon Kenton vs. Oldham County, 10 a.m.
Carroll County vs. Collins, 12:30 p.m.
South Oldham vs. Owen County, 3 p.m.
Anderson County vs. Walton-Verona, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 6 and 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
Softball regional tournaments
9th Region at Veterans Memorial Park, Newport
Monday
Dixie Heights vs. Highlands, 11 a.m.
Conner vs. Holy Cross, 1 p.m.
Boone County vs. Newport Central Catholic, 3 p.m.
Notre Dame vs. St. Henry, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 5 and 7 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
10th Region at Clark County High School
Monday
Brossart vs. Mason County, 11 a.m.
Harrison County vs. Montgomery County, 1 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Bracken County, 3 p.m.
Bourbon County vs. Nicholas County, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 8 and 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
8th Region at Collins High School
Monday
Collins vs. Owen County, 10 a.m.
Simon Kenton vs. North Oldham, noon
Henry County vs. Anderson County, 2 p.m.
Oldham County vs. Grant County, 4 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 5:30 and 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 6 p.m.