The Highland dugout made a lot of noise during the Huskies’ nine-run third  inning on Thursday. And according to junior centerfielder MyLei Smith, that energy from the bench carried over to the diamond during the 13-3 win. 

“I think we do well working together and cheering for each other,” she said. “I think that’s a really good thing about our team. Even if we’re struggling, we cheer for each other and we like to pump each other up.”

Lone Tree scored twice in the top half of the third inning to cut the Highland lead in half, but Smith’s one out double pushed Carsen Stransky across the plate to spark the big inning. Smith had another RBI double before the inning was over to put Highland up 13-2.

Smith, who did not have a single extra-base hit in 48 at bats last year, smacked three doubles and drove in five runs during the Huskies’ first two games. 

Smith said that her mental approach at the plate has made the difference.

“The key is to get out of your head,” she said “And I did that a lot last year, so I’ve just tried not to think about it as much.”

Jessica Kraus also had two hits in the inning and drove in a run. Sarah Burton was 3-4 with three stolen bases, a triple, and two RBIs and Grace Batcheller doubled twice. 

Mackinze Hora and Madison Beeson each had a hit and an RBI. 

Trailing 4-0, Chloe Mills led off the third inning with a single for Lone Tree. Ellen Carow singled and Rylee Shield drew a walk to load the bases with one out. 

Arlie Lorack drove in a run with a single and Carow scored on an error, but Kraus induced a ground ball to first base with runners on second and third to preserve the two-run lead. 

Lorack also had a double while Hogan Eden had a hit and scored a run. Mills and Carow each stole two bases.