Huskies defeat Keota in potential district preview

In a nonconference match-up, the Highland baseball team got an opportunity to see one of its potential district opponents on Wednesday night.

The Huskies hosted Keota for a single game, and used strong baserunning, and big production from the bottom of the lineup, to snag a 5-1 victory.

?(Our 8 and 9) guys have been hitting the ball really well and have been getting it done for us,? Highland baseball head coach Seth Millidge said. ?If they can get on two or three times, we are going to be in a good spot. We are feeling pretty good about ourselves.?

Caleb Brase took the mound for the Huskies, and gave up four hits and no earned runs in the complete game victory.

Brase also had one of the bigger days at the plate, claiming two RBIs in the contest.

Highland opened the game with three runs in the first two innings, taking a 3-0 lead, before Keota threatened to take control of the game.

After an unearned run came across to score in the top of the fifth, the Eagles loaded the bases with one out. A Brase strikeout and a lineout to shortstop Billy Burton ended the threat, and Highland tacked on a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.

?Our guys play through these things,? Millidge said. ?We are junior-laden, and so they are ready to play. They are going to get the job done. We just have to refocus and make the next play. We?ve done a really good job of that. We aren?t tearing the cover off the ball, but we are finding ways to win.?

Highland has now won eight straight games to sit at 18-6 on the season, and hopes to wrap up the season with a pair of victories to hit the 20-win mark before postseason play begins.

?We still haven?t played our best baseball,? Millidge said. ?With what we are doing, we are hoping to end 20-6 in our final two games. They really want 20 wins this season. We worked hard for the No. 1 seed in the district, but after this week, it doesn?t matter anymore. We have to come ready to play every day.?

Highland will take on Central City on Thursday night.