By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Ryle softball team that finished the regular season with five straight losses pulled out a 2-1 win over Cooper in a 33rd District semifinal game on Sunday to secure a berth in next week’s 9th Region tournament.
The Raiders scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a single by senior Makenna Hirshey and advance to the district final for the fourth time in five years.
The winning pitcher was sophomore Addison Farmer. She allowed only two hits in the final three innings after coming in to relieve starting senior pitcher Rayne Pastel, who got the team’s other RBI.
Conner knocked off Boone County, 8-1, in the other 33rd District semifinal game to earn a region berth. Ryle will face Conner in the district final at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Boone County High School.
Last year, Ryle edged Conner, 2-1, in the district final. This season, Conner won its first game against Ryle, 13-10, in April. When they played again on May 1, Ryle came away with a 7-6 win in eight innings.
Dixie Heights and Villa Madonna are the 34th District teams that will be in the region tournament bracket. They advanced to the district final Sunday when Dixie Heights defeated Lloyd, 19-1, and Villa Madonna outscored St. Henry, 19-11. The title game is set for 5:30 Monday at St. Henry.
In baseball, three of the district finals will be Ryle at Conner in the 33rd and Beechwood at Covington Catholic in the 35th at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Walton-Verona vs. Simon Kenton at Grant County at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Softball district tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY
Tuesday
Championship game: Simon Kenton vs. Grant County, 6 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT BOONE COUNTY
Monday
Championship game: Conner vs. Ryle, 5:30 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT ST. HENRY
Monday
Championship game: Dixie Heights vs. Villa Madonna, 5:30 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT HOLMES
Monday
Holy Cross vs. Beechwood, 5 p.m.
Notre Dame vs. Holmes, 8 p.m.
Tuesday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT HIGHLANDS
Monday
Newport vs. Dayton, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Bellevue, 5:30 p.m.
Highlands vs. Newport-Dayton winner, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Monday
Scott vs. Campbell County, 5:30 p.m.
Calvary Christian vs. Brossart, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
Baseball district tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY
Wednesday
Championship game: Walton-Verona vs. Simon Kenton, 6 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT CONNER
Tuesday
Championship game: Conner vs. Ryle, 5 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT TWO SITES
Monday
Lloyd at St. Henry, 5 p.m.
Dixie Heights at Villa Madonna, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday at Villa Madonna
Championship game, 5:30 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT COVINGTON CATHOLIC
Tuesday
Championship game: Beechwood vs. Covington Catholic, 5 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT BELLEVUE VETS FIELDS
Monday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Bellevue, 5 p.m.
Highlands vs. Dayton, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
Championship game, 5 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT BROSSART
Monday
Scott vs. Brossart, 5:30 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Calvary Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Championship game, 6 p.m.