After making some noise last year with a 22-win season and making it to the district title game the Huskies, who lost eight seniors to graduation, hit a bit of a lull this year. 

The 2023 Highland baseball team wrapped up their season with an 11-15 record overall, an 8-4 conference record and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. 

A microcosm of their season as a whole Highland’s first game of the year was an 11-0 road victory over Keota and their second game was a 7-1 home loss to Keota. 

Struggling all season long to string together multiple wins in a row, with their longest win streak being two, the Huskies ended the year with a 5-7 home record and a 6-8 record on the road. 

Ending the year with a second-place finish in their division of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference the Huskies were at their best against conference opponents. 

The first round of the playoffs saw Highland host a game against the New London Tigers. This postseason game turned into a pitcher’s duel with each team finding it difficult to score. With the only scored run of the game coming in the sixth inning, the Huskies were defeated by New London, 1-0, marking the end of their season. 

As a team Highland scored 141 runs and connected on 150 hits. They scored their season high in runs scored in a 16-1 home game victory over the Lone Tree Lions. Highland reached double digits in runs scored in six games this season.  

With some players just making brief appearances Highland had 13 players see playing time on the mound. As a team the Huskies allowed 147 hits, 144 runs allowed with 86 earned runs allowed, and struck out 208 batters.  

Recognized for the talent and skill they displayed during the regular season Highland had six players receive all-conference honors in the SEISC North. 

Two Huskies were unanimous selections for first team all-conference, senior Ethan Paisley as a pitcher and sophomore William Dunbar as an infielder.

Paisley, a standout player for Highland, started 12 games on the mound and had a 5-4 pitching record. His ERA of 1.02 was the fourth lowest in the SEISC North and he struck out 102 batters. 

While up to bat he led the team with 29 hits, scored 19 runs, and his .358 batting average was the best on the team.    

Dunbar had a knack for getting home, leading the team with 21 runs scored. His 22 hits were second best on the team, he had 15 RBIs, and was the team leader in stolen bases with 34. 

Tyler Thompson wrapped up an impressive senior season with a second team all-conference selection as an outfielder. His 20 RBIs led the team, and he posted a .268 batting average. He was responsible for 111 putouts and stole 21 bases.  

The third senior for the Huskies to receive all-conference honors is Peyton Yeggy. Yeggy, selected second team all-conference as a pitcher, was a reliable presence on the mound this season. He posted a 5-4 pitching record, had an ERA of 2.31, and struck out 52 batters. 

Two Huskies who earned honorable mention all-conference were eighth grader Garrett Beeson and sophomore Logan McFarland. Beeson was the starting catcher for the Huskies and had a .975 fielding percentage. McFarland had a .216 batting average and went nine for nine on stolen bases.    

The curtains close on another season of Highland baseball, and they will say goodbye to four seniors: Thompson, Paisley, Yeggy, and Kody Grecian.