Batcheller strikes out 14 as Huskies edge Pekin 3-2

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 6/4/21

Sarah Burton doubled and scored on a wild pitch to give Highland a one-run lead in the seventh inning at Pekin on Thursday.  Then Grace Batcheller struck out the side on 11 pitches to preserve …

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Batcheller strikes out 14 as Huskies edge Pekin 3-2

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Sarah Burton doubled and scored on a wild pitch to give Highland a one-run lead in the seventh inning at Pekin on Thursday.  Then Grace Batcheller struck out the side on 11 pitches to preserve the 3-2 victory. 

Pekin scored twice in the bottom of the first inning and led 2-1 until Abbi Stransky’s single scored Burton in the third inning. The game remained tied at 2-2 until Burton scored the game-winning run in the seventh. 

After giving up a two-run homer and a double in the first inning, Batcheller settled down and allowed just three more hits while striking out 14. She pitched all seven innings and did not walk a batter. Batcheller was 3 for 4 at the plate with a double and gave Highland a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a single that scored Payton Brun. Stranksky finished 2 for 4 at the plate and Burton was 2 for 3 with a walk. 

Highland 12, Central City 4

Jessica Kraus was 3 for 4 and doubled twice during Highland’s 12-4 win over Central City on Wednesday. 

The game was tied 1-1 in the third inning when the Huskies took advantage of a pitching change and welcomed the reliever with back to back singles from Sarah Burton and Payton Brun. One-out singles from Grace Batcheller and Mackinze Hora each scored a run, and a double from Kraus brought in two more to put Highland ahead 5-1. 

Highland added four more runs in the fourth and led by at least six the rest of the way. 

Hora went 3 for 4 with a double, while Burton finished 2 for 3 and Abbi Stransky was 2 for 4. Batcheller picked up the win. She gave up three runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings. Kraus gave up a run on three hits in two innings of relief. She walked none and struck out two. 

Highland 12, Mediapolis 5

Trailing 5-4 in the fourth inning, the Huskies scored the final eight runs of Tuesday’s game to defeat Mediapolis 12-5. 

Payton Brun doubled and scored on an Abbi Stransky single to tie the game. Stransky stole second, took third on an error and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. 

Brun was 2 for 3 with a double and drove in three runs for the Huskies. Stranksy was 2 for 2 with two walks and two RBIs. Sarah Burton was 2 for 4 with a double. Brun, Burton and Grace Prybil each had two steals for the Huskies, who went 11 for 11 stealing bases. 

Mackinze Hora and Kayla Cerny each had a hit, while Prybil and Jenna Sands each had an RBI. 

Jessica Kraus made the start and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks with four strikeouts. Grace Batcheller threw four innings of relief and earned the win. She allowed three runs on four hits and a walk. She also struck out four.