The Mustangs (33-3) struck first in the bottom of the third inning. After singles by Derek Schneider and Daniel Seitzinger, Ryan Garner doubled to right field to put McCracken up 2-0. That score would hold until the top of the fifth, when the Bluebirds took the lead on four unearned runs.
With two on and nobody out, Highlands' Brad Green laid down a sac bunt that was misplayed, allowing one run to score. Kyle Rust tied the game at 2-2 after he was able to beat the tag at home plate on a grounder to second base.
Highlands took a 3-2 lead on a bunt single for an RBI by Conner Kreegar. Ramey then hit an RBI double to make it 4-2.
Still trailing by two runs, McCracken County loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning but Reid Pope grounded out to end the inning. The Bluebirds added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Ramey tripled and then scored on an RBI single by Jake Whitford.
The Mustangs brought the top of the lineup to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. But Cole Womack and Garner struck out and Seitzinger grounded out to first.
Garner led the Mustangs at the plate, going 1-for-4 with 2RBI. Seitzinger finished 1-for-4 and Schneider 1-for-3. On the mound, Womack (8-1) took the loss. He went five innings, giving up four runs (0 earned) on six hits, with two strikeouts. Keegan Breese pitched the last two innings, giving up one run on three hits with one strikeout.
Mitchell Jones (8-2) picked up the win for Highlands. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Ricky Raisor got the save. He gave up no runs and no hits with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.
Highlands outhit the Mustangs 9-3. Each team had three errors.
Highlands will face No. 18 North Bullitt (31-11) in Wednesday's quarterfinals.