It was a strong day at the office for the Highland baseball and softball teams in Riverside on Tuesday when they picked up a couple Southeast Iowa Super Conference victories over Mediapolis.
The softball squad trailed the Bulldogs (0-4) by a 5-4 tally in the fourth, but eight consecutive runs led to a 12-5 win. The Huskies scattered eight hits led by a 2-for-4 with three RBI night from Payton Brun. Sarah Burton scored twice and had a pair of doubles while Abbi Stransky also added two knocks. Grace Batcheller was the winning pitcher in four innings of work giving up three runs on four hits and one walk.
A back and forth game late turned Highland’s way in the final frame Tuesday as the Huskies came from behind to beat Hillcrest Academy 5-2, in a Southeast Iowa Superconference baseball contest in Kalona. Pitching and defense controlled the game early on, with Highland finally breaking through for a single run in the fourth. With runners on the corners, Bryce Thompson got in a rundown between first and second, allowing Tyler Thompson to scamper home and give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. That advantage stood until the bottom of the sixth when Hillcrest got a pair on a swinging bunt from Josiah Beachy and an errant throw by the Huskies. In the seventh, the Ravens were unable to close the door on a 2-1 win. Highland started the inning with a Logan Bonebrake double. With one out Brenton Bonebrake walked and Luke Miller was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Connor Grinstead then drew a free pass to tie the game and Trevor McFarland’s RBI single gave Highland the lead, followed by two insuran
It’s an all-KCII area matchup tonight when Hillcrest Academy and Highland get together for Southeast Iowa Superconference baseball and softball. The Hillcrest softball team was 0-12 a season ago, hitting .158 as a team, led by Sarah Miller who is back for her senior year after hitting .300 as a junior. Esther Hughes also returns after hitting .265 last season. The Ravens had a 7.77 ERA a year ago with Leah Bontrager throwing each inning.
Highland softball was 9-7 last year. The Huskies hit .324 as a team and return eight players from that high powered offense, led by Dani Laughlin and her .600 average as a freshman with 33 hits and eight RBI. The Huskies finished with a 3.53 ERA and return everyone who threw a pitch last season, led by Grace Batcheller and her 63 innings of work with a 7-4 record and 3.52 ERA. These two teams met twice a season ago with Highland sweeping the series by 12-0 and 13-1 scores.
It’s an all-KCII area matchup Saturday afternoon in Riverside when the Hillcrest Academy Raven boys basketball team travels to meet the Highland Huskies. The Ravens come into the game with an overall record of 7-5 after a 56-39 loss at Wapello on Friday night. In the loss, the Ravens were led by Eli Ours 17 points. On the year, Ours leads Hillcrest at 16 points per game, fourth in the Superconference North Division. He also has a team best five assists and three steals per contest. John Hughes leads the Ravens on the glass with five boards per game.
Highland comes in with an overall mark of 2-5, 2-3 in the Superconference North. In their last recorded action they beat Lone Tree Tuesday 58-54 behind 15 points from Tristan Stokes, 12 from Chase Schultz and 10 from Connor Grinstead. On the season, Highland is led by Stokes at 11 points per contest. He also has the team lead with three steals and two assists. Trevor McFarland is best on the team at five boards per game. These two team
The Highland boys and girls basketball teams step outside of the Superconference tonight when they travel to North English to meet the English Valleys Bears. The Highland girls come in with an overall record of 1-3. Last time out the Huskies were beaten at Pekin Tuesday 54-33. For the year, Highland is led by Dani Laughlin at 20 points per game. She also leads the team with six steals and three assists per contest. Sarah Burton leads Highland on the boards with nine rebounds per game.
English Valleys is 2-5 overall with a loss to Montezuma 63-27 on Tuesday. For the year, the Bears are led by Mia Ayers at eight points per game. She also has a team best eight rebounds per contest. Ayers, Kaeley Axmear and Carly Stanerson each average two assists and two steals per game to lead the team. These two teams met last season with Highland taking a 44-39 win.