RIVERSIDE

Highland’s softball attack came quickly.

Just a few minutes into its Class 1A tournament opener against Keota on July 8, Sarah Burton and Lilly Barre of Highland both hit triples and scored. Just like that, the Huskies were ahead 2-0 in a game they would eventually win by mercy rule in four innings, 13-1.

In less than a full four innings, the Huskies piled up 15 hits and 13 runs against two Keota pitchers, extending their win streak to five and sending Highland to a regional quarterfinal game Wednesday at Calamus-Wheatland.

“It was a good start for us at home,” Huskies head coach Carrie Wieland said.

In their last five games, the Huskies are averaging more than 10 runs a game and have given up just five runs.

“Our defense definitely and our hitting. We’ve just got to keep doing that,” Wieland said.

Senior pitcher Grace Prybil struck out five and gave up just one hit.

“I thought Grace pitched a good game,” Wieland said. “I think we’re ready. We’re ready.”

Burton led off the Huskies’ first inning with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly to center field hit by senior teammate Payton Brun. Barre, a junior, followed with another triple and then scored, turning the play into a virtual inside-the-park homer when Keota’s outfielders misfired on a throw back to the infield.

The first inning was just an offensive tease. Four of the first six Highland batters in the second inning hit doubles, and all six reached base. A two-run double by Adisyn Prottsman made it 6-0 and a double by Mackenzie Davis scored Prottsman.

Barre ended it in the fourth inning, when she singled to the outfield and drove in Brun with the game-finishing run that made it 13-1.