Huskies earn pair of tournament wins

After suffering a loss at Lone Tree on Thursday, the Highland softball team has opened up a new winning streak heading into the postseason.

The Huskies continued their streak over the weekend, picking up a pair of victories in a tournament setting at Alburnett.

Highland defeated host Alburnett 7-6, then picked up a 4-1 victory against Independence to round up the regular season with a 22-5 record.

In the game against Alburnett, eighth-grader Megan Hoenig picked up the victory in the circle, allowing six hits and three earned runs, striking out nine batters in the contest.

The Huskies started off the game scoring two runs in each of the first and second innings to take a 4-1 lead, but Alburnett responded in the bottom of the third.

A five-run inning put Alburnett on top 6-4, before Highland earned a run back in the fifth.

A two-run seventh inning put the Huskies on top 7-6, before Hoenig closed out the game in the circle.

Cheyann Adamson went 1-for-3 at the plate, driving in three RBIs, while Bailey Walsh went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the game.

Kelsey Hora and Courtnee Hahn each scored two runs in the game.

In the game against Independence, Katie Springer took the circle and pitched a four-hit one-run game, striking out seven as she earned the victory.

Independence scored its lone run in the bottom of the first, before Springer?s pitching shut them down.

Highland picked up a pair of runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings, taking a 4-1 lead that would hold for the rest of the game.

Bridget Murphy had the lone Highland RBI in the game, while Hora, Adamson, Morgan Craig and Katie Chalupa each scored runs.

Highland will turn its attention to a potential Class 2A state tournament run, which will get under way on Wednesday at home, against the winner of Tipton and North Cedar.

If the Huskies advance past their opening-round game, they will host the winner of No. 10 ranked Durant and Wilton.

Wednesday?s first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.