Here come the Huskies!

RIVERSIDE — Softball teams in the mirror might be closer than they appear...closer to statewide relevance anyway, when it comes to the Highland Huskies.

Highland, one of the youngest varsity teams in the state, has found itself not only in the final 16 teams in Class 1A, but a host of a regional final game, after winning two road tournament games last week.

After a dominant opening round win over English Valleys, the Huskies upset North Linn 8-2 in the quarterfinals, and BGM 2-1 in the semifinals of what may be the craziest regional bracket in Class 1A this summer.

Wednesday’s battle at North Linn was promising from the first inning. After a shut out opening frame from eighth-grade starting pitcher Jillian Stransky, the Huskies scored two runs in their half of the first to go up 2-0 after the first inning.

After trading runs in the third, North Linn had the game down to one run, at 3-2, heading into the fifth, but Stransky stayed strong, and eventually, the Highland offense put down the hammer.

The Huskies scored three runs in the fifth inning and two in the sixth to push the lead all the way up to six runs, and North Linn never scored again.

The Huskies had three RBIs in the game, all three by the eighth-grade class. Adley Sweeting finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs, and Kinzie Ruess was 1-for-4 with an RBI of her own.

Kamryn Fink was 2-for-3 with three runs scored in the win. Lone senior Lilly Barre went 1-for-1 with three walks and a double, and scored three runs herself.

Stransky finished the complete game, giving up just two earned runs on six hits and one walk, while striking out five Lynx in the process.

The win moved Highland on to a regional semifinal game at BGM, which was played on Saturday due to a rain delay the night before.

Highland trailed 1-0 after a run in the third put BGM on the board, but the Huskies responded with two of their own in the bottom half.

Highland won the game despite only getting two hits. Maiya Singbell was 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored. Ella Schlabaugh had a double in her only at bat, and Katelyn Thomann was 0-for-2 but scored a run.

Stransky had to be at her best in the circle. She gave up just one unearned run on three hits, two walks and one hit batter. Again, she finished the game with five strikeouts.

While Highland was making its run on the bottom half of the bracket, another Cinderella story was climbing through the top half. Iowa Valley scored a major upset over top-seeded Southeast Warren in the quarterfinals and a wild 16-13 win over HLV-TC in the semis.

That sets up Monday night’s Class 1A Region 4 final, which will pit the Huskies (16-9) up against the Tigers (14-11) at Highland High School.

If Highland wins, the Huskies will complete a dream run in regionals by celebrating with a state qualifier banner, having earned a spot into next week’s state tournament in Fort Dodge.

The game will not be started as of press-time for Tuesday’s Southeast Iowa Union. Stay tuned for Thursday’s edition for a full recap of the game.