By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Cooper’s baseball team posed for photos with the 33rd District championship trophy for the second straight year after a 2-0 win over Ryle in the title game on Tuesday at Boone County High School.
Senior pitcher Conner Phillips gave up only four hits to post the shutout for the Jaguars, who have not allowed a run in their last three games. The team will take a 20-12 record into next week’s 9th Region tournament.
The other teams that have qualified for the regional tournament are Ryle, Beechwood, Covington Catholic, Dixie Heights, St. Henry and Newport Central Catholic.
The winner of the 36th District semifinal game between Highlands and Newport on Wednesday will complete the eight-team regional bracket. Highlands won the regional championship the last three years
In fast-pitch softball district games played Tuesday, Notre Dame defeated Holy Cross, 13-3, in the 35th District final and Ryle came from behind to beat Boone County, 6-5, in the 33rd District title game.
All four of those teams advance to next week’s 9th Region softball tournament along with Dayton and St. Henry, who earned berths by winning district semifinal games on Tuesday.
Dayton upset Newport Central Catholic, 3-1, to keep its season alive. This is the first time the Greendevils have made it to the regional tournament in fast-pitch softball. St. Henry whipped Ludlow, 12-2, to make it to the regional for the 11th straight year.
The other two regional softball berths will go to the winners of the Dixie Heights-Villa Madonna and Highlands-Bellevue district semifinal games that are scheduled on Wednesday.
Baseball district tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT WALTON-VERONA
Wednesday
Walton-Verona vs. Grant County, 5:30 p.m.
Championship game: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona-Grant County winner, 7 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT LLOYD
Wednesday
Championship game: Dixie Heights vs. St. Henry, 5:30 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT MEINKEN FIELD
Wednesday
Championship game: Beechwood vs. Covington Catholic, 5:30 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT MORSCHER FIELD
Wednesday
Highlands vs. Newport, 5 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game: Newport Central Catholic vs. Highlands-Newport winner, 5 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Wednesday
Campbell County vs. Calvary Christian, 5 p.m.
Brossart vs. Scott, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
Softball district tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY.
Wednesday
Walton-Verona vs. Williamstown, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona-Williamstown winner, 5:30 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT DIXIE HEIGHTS
Wednesday
Dixie Heights vs. Villa Madonna, 5:30 p.m.
Friday
Championship game: St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights-Vila Madonna winner, 5 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT NEWPORT VETERANS PARK
Wednesday
Highlands vs. Bellevue, 4 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game: Dayton vs. Highlands-Bellevue winner, 5 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT CAMPBELL COUNTY
Wednesday
Championship game: Campbell County vs. Scott, 5:30 p.m.