RIVERSIDE 

Highland was aiming for back-to-back wins when conference opponent Hillcrest came to town for the first of their scheduled two matchups this season. 

Scoring eight runs in the second, Highland handled Hillcrest in three innings, 12-0, on June 7.  

Highland (5-4) continues to be the victor in this rivalry, increasing their all-time series record against Hillcrest (3-5) to 34-1 with the Ravens lone win coming in 2011. 

This was the fourth time this season the Huskies, who improved their conference record to 4-2, were able to prevent their opponent from scoring and for the Ravens, whose conference record drops to 3-4, this was the first time this season they were shut out. 

Highland took the lead when they scored two runs in the first before pouring on the points in the second with eight more runs scored. After three up and three down for Hillcrest in the third, the Huskies scored twice more in the bottom of the third to end the game early.

In the pitching department Hillcrest was once again led by junior Malia Yoder. Yoder, who has pitched in eight out of the nine games the Ravens have played so far, ended the night with two strikeouts while giving up eight hits and no walks allowed. 

It was a perfect outing on the mound for Highland senior Grace Prybil. Pitching in all three innings, Prybil gave up zero hits, zero runs, and allowed zero walks. Facing nine Hillcrest batters in total, she ended the game with three strikeouts. 

Highland had 10 hits as a team with seniors Sarah Burton, Payton Brun, and Lilly Barre all recording a team high two hits. Leading the team in RBIs with three was eighth grader Mayia Singbeil. 

Highland 11, Columbus 1

Breaking a three-game losing streak, the Huskies (3-3) just needed five innings to send the Columbus Wildcats (2-8) home with a loss on June 4. 

Highland built up a 7-1 lead after three innings played before scoring four in the fourth to invoke the mercy rule and end the conference game sooner than expected. 

The Huskies had five different players record at least one hit with sophomore Mackenzie Davis having a great day while up to bat, leading the team in hits (3) and RBIs (2).

It was another solid day on the mound for senior Grace Prybil. Prybil gave up four hits, one run, allowed no walks, and retired nine Wildcat batters. 

Van Buren County 7, Highland 5

A late game comeback fell short for the Huskies (3-4) as they were ultimately defeated by the Van Buren County Warriors (4-2) in a home game on June 5.

The Warriors were in control for most of this non-conference contest, taking a 6-1 lead after four innings played. Highland attempted to rally, scoring twice in both the fifth and the sixth innings, but were unable to completely overcome their deficit. 

Highland had six hits as a team with those hits coming from senior Sarah Burton and eighth graders Mayia Singbeil and Kamryn Fink. Fink led the team in hits (3). Highland’s four RBIs came off the bats of Burton, Mackenzie Davis, Singbeil, and Fink.

Pitching duties for the Huskies was taken upon by sophomore Adisyn Prottsman and junior Adeline Krotz. Prottsman, who pitched in four and two thirds of an inning, ended with four strikeouts and Krotz, who pitched in two and two thirds of an inning, also ended with four strikeouts. 

Highland 14, W-MU 0

It was a slow start for both teams, but it was the Huskies (4-4) who got things rolling first and did not stop any time soon, defeating the Winfield-Mt Union Wolves (3-4) on June 6. 

This was Highland’s first road win of the year, and they improved their all-time series record against the Wolves, 25-2. 

After a scoreless two innings for both teams, Highland got on the board with two runs in the third. With the taste of scoring still fresh on their mind, the Huskies proceeded to score three runs in the fourth, three more runs in the fifth, and then topped the game off with six in the sixth. 

Out hitting the Wolves, 8-0, the Huskies were led by the senior duo of Sarah Burton and Payton Brun who both produced two hits and two RBIs a piece.

It was a stellar outing for senior pitcher Grace Prybil. In addition to giving up zero runs, Prybil also allowed no hits, two walks, and retired 10 batters.

Up next for Highland (5-4) is a conference road game against the Pekin Panthers (1-10) on June 13.