Friday night lights shone bright as the Lady Highlanders took on the Wakefield Warriors. 13-2 for the season, and undefeated in the District, the Highlanders were heavy favorites.

“We expect a tough game, the [Wakefield pitcher] is really good,” head coach Maurice Tawil said. “She’s given us a tough time in the past, but we’re ready to go.”

And as the lights shone down on the green grass of the state champions, they performed to the high standard expected of them. Hit after hit, they went through the order, scoring 2 runs off of impressive hitting from the top of the order in the first inning.

The second inning started with a quick out, however the second batter on the Wakefield lineup stepped up to the plate and hit a double to right field. The next batter tried to bunt but junior pitcher Hailey Simpson scooped it up with ease and threw it to first base for the second out of the inning. Simpson proceeded to strike out the following hitter and end the top of the second inning safe with no runs allowed.

Senior shortstop Ella Templer started the bottom of the second with a speedy ground ball, and after an error from the first baseman, wound up on second base. After a wild pitch to senior outfielder Abby Hart, Templer found her way to third base. Unfortunately for the Highlanders, three quick outs ended the second inning and left Templer stranded on third.

Simpson approached the mound in the top of the third and proceeded to strike out the first two batters. The third popped up a ball to shallow right field and inched out a double, getting to third on a wild pitch. Simpson was not fazed at all and knocked down the next batter with her third strikeout of the inning.

Freshman second baseman Sydney Walker led off the bottom of the third with a hard ground out to third base. Sophomore third baseman Riley Staats then added to the momentum with a single to left field, and junior outfielder Maddie Staats advanced Riley Staats after a wild pitch, but popped out to the pitcher. Senior first baseman Emory Hadden came to the plate next, and once again Riley Staats advanced to third base after another wild pitch. Hadden sent a hard ground ball to left field and brought Riley Staats home to increase the Highlander lead 3-0. Senior catcher Chelsea Engle ended the inning with a ground out to shortstop.

Then came the third, and the Warriors came out swinging. With two outs, a fly ball flew towards the left fence, clearly foul. Hart raced towards the wall, crashing into it catching the ball in an impressive display of athleticism.

Yet the dry streak continued for both teams, with Simpson continuing her dominance in shutting the warriors out. Yet Sydney Walker knocked one over the centerfield wall, and all the momentum was for the highlanders.

Maddie Staats hit a double to get her sister home, and the score was now five to zero. Hadden sneaked out a walk from a three two count and Engle came to the plate. A wild pitch advanced both Hadden and the elder Staats to second and third. Maddie Staats scored on a screaming ground ball right up the middle by Engle, advancing Hadden to third. A sacrifice fly ball by Hart sent Hadden home, who scored by making a swift move around the catcher. Junior second baseman Elise Walker then ended the bottom of the fifth with a hard groundout to second.

The Highlander defense continued to dominate with class as they sent the first three Warrior batters right back to the dugout in quick fashion to end the top of the sixth inning.

With runners on first and second base, the Highlanders advanced yet again, when Maddie Staats was hit by a pitch. Senior Emory Hadden hit a 3 run double, and the game was over, 10-0 with the Highlanders winning by mercy rule. The thirteenth win was in the bag, and Simpson finished with a shutout.

“We did a great job,” Sydney Walker said. “We got off to a slow start, but we were resilient and continued to create the energy we need to win these hard fought games.”

Overall, the Highlanders were incredibly happy with the result and what it means for their season.

“Tonight, we played great defense. We hit the ball hard, against a good pitcher. It shows that if we take care of business, nobody can catch us,” Tawil said. “We’re gonna take it one game at a time.”