By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
After a statewide realignment in 2008 combined most of the fast-pitch softball teams in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties into the 9th Region, the Ryle Raiders made it to the regional final five consecutive years and won four titles.
Over the last five years, Ryle has been to the regional final only once and took home the runner-up trophy. But the Raiders have the best record among the eight contenders in this year’s tournament that starts Monday at Newport Veterans Park.
Ryle has won 12 of 13 games in the month of May to advance its overall record to 21-5.
During that run, the Raiders went 6-1 against teams in the regional bracket with the only loss coming to Dixie Heights by one run. Those two teams will meet again at 1 p.m. Monday in the first round of the regional tournament.
The leading hitter in the Ryle lineup is senior shortstop Maclai Branson, who finished the regular season with a .608 batting average (45 of 74), 12 home runs and 51 runs scored. She was voted Division I Player of the Year by local coaches and accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Kentucky before the season started.
The other Ryle player selected first-team Division I is junior pitcher Hannah Bishop, who won the 33rd District title game against Boone County with a walk-off home run.
Notre Dame, the defending 9th Region champion, will play in Monday’s 11 a.m. opening game against Dayton, a team that’s making its regional tournament debut. The Pandas have a good-hitting pitcher in senior Lauren Durstock and two Division I all-stars in sophomore second baseman Kayari Suganuma and sophomore outfielder Olivia Meier.
The other Catholic school teams in the regional tournament are St. Henry and Holy Cross, who will meet in a first-round game at 3 p.m. Monday. St. Henry won the 9th Region All “A” Classic earlier this season and edged Dixie Heights, 8-7, in the 34th District final.
Highlands won the 36th District title to earn a regional tournament berth for the sixth consecutive year. The Bluebirds’ first-round opponent at 5 p.m. Monday will be Boone County, a team they beat, 10-9, on March 31. That was one of four one-run losses the Rebels had to deal with this season.
The 10th Region softball tournament played all four of its first-round games on Sunday. Campbell County shut out Pendleton County, 10-0, in the opening game and Harrison County knocked off Scott, 11-1, in the fourth game.
In the semifinal round on Monday, Campbell County will face Paris at 5 p.m. and Bourbon County will take on Harrison County at 7 p.m. at Pendleton County.
The 8th Region tournament that includes Simon Kenton and Walton-Verona will play first-round games on Monday at Henry County
9th REGION AT NEWPORT VETERANS PARK
Monday
Notre Dame (15-13) vs. Dayton (10-8), 11 a.m.
Ryle (21-5) vs. Dixie Heights (14-13), 1 p.m.
St. Henry (16-17) vs. Holy Cross (10-14), 3 p.m.
Highlands (18-10) vs. Boone County (15-11), 5 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 4:30 and 6 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
10th REGION AT PENDLETON COUNTY
Sunday scores
Campbell County 10, Pendleton County 0
Paris 7, Bracken County 0
Bourbon County 9, Mason County 0
Harrison County 11, Scott 1
Monday
Campbell County (18-6) vs. Paris (16-11), 5 p.m.
Bourbon County (26-10) vs Harrison County (18-15), 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
8th REGION AT HENRY COUNTY
Monday
Shelby County (20-14) vs. Oldham County (33-4), 10 a.m.
Simon Kenton (17-10) vs. Owen County (10-8), noon
Walton-Verona (14-15) vs. Carroll County (14-9), 2 p.m.
South Oldham (14-10) vs. Collins (15-12), 4 p.m.
Tuesday
Semifinal games, 6 and 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 7 p.m.