The customary cheers and hubbub of high school softball rang in the air as the McLean Highlanders took on the Madison Warhawks in the regional semifinals. Despite McLean’s softball prowess, this game was not expected to be a cakewalk as Madison had been a good team all season. Still, the reigning state champions were ready, packing the stands of Madison High School with Highlander fans.
“We’ve had a great team all season, and the key thing has been our fight,” junior pitcher Hailey Simpson said. “It’s been there every second of every game, even when we’ve fallen behind.”
As the game began, the Highlanders came out swinging and loaded the bases, but were unable to take advantage, stranding baserunners. The defense then took the field, and Simpson quickly established her dominance, clearing out the top of the order with ease.
The Highlanders again took their talents to the plate, and after a strikeout and flyout down the left field line came senior right fielder Abby Hart, who took a pitch to the leg. Next up was freshman Sydney Walker, who proceeded to foul off three pitches in a battle that ended in a flyout.
Simpson took the field once again, walking the first batter, but it was only a slight hiccup as the Highlanders continued their strong defense with three straight outs keeping the Warhawks at bay.
The third was another scoreless inning, with dominant pitching on both sides leading to the fourth inning.
A bunt from senior catcher Chelsea Engle resulted in senior Kaitlyn Cole advancing into scoring position, but a flyout ended the inning, with Simpson taking the field once more.
This time around, the Highlanders struggled, and a two-run homer put the Warhawks up 2-0. Fortunately for McLean, Simpson managed to limit the damage of the inning to two runs.
Then came the top of the fifth, and the Highlanders responded with vigor. A grand old collection of hits resulted in McLean equalizing the two-run difference.
The bottom of the fifth was marked with another Warhawk homer, this time putting three runs on the board, which suddenly put the Highlanders in a deep hole. Simpson yet again recovered, playing damage control and staying solid to end the inning and push the team into the sixth.
The Highlanders were going to yet again need a big inning to keep themselves in the game, and a single from freshman second baseman Sasha Kirk infused McLean with hope. A passed ball advanced her to second, but it was all for naught as an infield fly ended the inning.
Simpson was replaced in the 6th with sophomore pitcher Saoirse Sigler, who allowed a single run. The score was now 6-2, and the Highlanders were going to need a miracle to take home the win.
As the seventh began, McLean seemed determined to make that miracle happen. Hits propelled Highlander base runners to first and second. Engle knocked a single, scoring a run. A big double sent in another, and a sacrifice fly from the Highlanders brought them within one with two outs on the board.
Then, senior right fielder Abby Hart stepped up to the plate. The Highlanders needed one more run. With runners on base, the pressure was on. A swing and a miss marked strike one. Three pitches later, in a 2-2 count, Hart stepped back into the batter’s box with the game on the line. The Madison pitcher sent the ball roaring towards the plate. Hart swung, but it was not enough, as the ball whizzed by untouched. Cheers rose up from the Madison side of the bleachers as the Warhawks stormed the field celebrating the 6-5 win.
“We have a great group of girls, and we left it all on the field, so there are really no regrets,” Simpson said.
This loss marked the end of the season for the Highlanders and the graduation of five seniors, all of whom played crucial roles on the team. Despite the disappointment of such a close loss and the dissolution of a group that had brought glory to McLean last school year, the Highlanders are proud of what they have accomplished.
“When we got in that huddle after the game, where everyone was upset, we had a junior and a senior speak up on how this was one of their favorite games,” head coach Maurice Tawil said. “Even though we lost, it’s a sign of how our kids have grown up and overcome adversity. If you were there, listening to what I heard, you would have been impressed.”
