The 2023 Highland softball team went through a rocky start with a 3-4 record, but they were able to quickly right the ship and put together another commendable summer campaign that ended with an 18-11 record overall, an 11-3 conference record, and 10 Huskies receiving all-conference record.  

While up to bat the Huskies produced 218 hits and scored 226 runs. They scored their season high in runs in a 17-1 road game victory over the Winfield Mt. Union Wolves.

Winning every game, they scored 10 or more runs in, Highland reached the double-digit threshold in 12 games this season. 

Over the course of the season the Huskies had four players step up to the mound to pitch. As a team Highland gave up 147 hits, 95 runs in total with 62 earned runs allowed, and delivered 170 strikeouts. 

The Huskies held a team to zero points four times this year. 

In the first round of the playoffs the Huskies defeated fellow Southeast Iowa Super Conference member, the Lone Tree Lady Lions. 

A home postseason game, Highland advanced to the second round by defeating Lone Tree, 9-3, making it three straight times this year the Huskies trounced the Lions. 

The second round of the playoffs is where Highland’s season came to an end and it was at the hands of a team that was a particular thorn in the Huskies’ side all season long, the Wapello Arrows. 

Three times the Huskies and the Arrows faced off this year and three times Wapello walked away with the victory. In the SEISC Highland took second place in their division with Wapello being the only team above them.

The playoffs are where Highland looked for revenge over Wapello, but it was not meant to be. Highland held a 2-0 lead but in heartbreaking fashion Wapello rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning for a walk off 3-2 victory. 

A sour note to end the season on to be sure but it shouldn’t take away from how talented the roster was. Getting recognized for just how skilled this roster was, five Highland players were selected first-team all-conference in the SEISC North. 

Selected as a unanimous choice for first-team all-conference as a pitcher was senior Jessica Kraus. 

Shining in her senior season Kraus ended her year with a 14-5 pitching record, tallied 122 strikeouts, and posted the second-lowest ERA in the SEISC North with 2.21.  

Junior Sarah Burton continues to excel in high school athletics, being selected first team all-conference as an infielder. 

Taking the role of Highland’s leadoff batter she led the team in homeruns with four, was second on the team in hits with 34, scored 40 runs, and stole a team high 34 bases without being caught. 

Also selected first team all-conference as an infielder was fellow junior Payton Brun. 

Brun was a force on offense, leading the team in hits with 34. Her 26 RBIs were good enough for third most on the team and she ended her year with a .389 batting average. 

In the final softball season of her high school career, senior Abbi Stransky was selected first team all-conference as a utility player. 

Having a knack for quality hits at opportune times she led the team in RBIs with 28 She stole 17 bases without being caught and posted a .301 batting average, being able to hit the ball 25 times. 

Rounding out the first team selections for Highland, senior MyLei Smith was selected first team all-conference as an outfielder. 

Going 11 for 11 on stolen bases she ended her year with 19 runs scored. Her batting average of .342 was fourth best on the team, going 25-73 at the plate, and she finished her season with 12 RBIs. 

Standout sophomore Lilly Barre, second in the batting order for the Huskies, was chosen second team all-conference as an infielder. 

A high-volume scorer, Barre led the team in runs scored with 44. She posted a team best .402 batting average, going 33-82 while up to bat. The 28 bases she stole were second most on the team and her 33 hits were third best on the team.

Selected second team all-conference as an outfielder was senior Katelyn Waters. Waters went eight for eight on stolen bases, had a batting average of .262, and scored 14 runs. 

Stalwart and dependable behind home plate junior Madison Beeson was selected second team all-conference as a catcher. She was responsible for 175 putouts, posted a .984 fielding percentage, and ended her season with a .224 batting average. 

Highland had two honorable mentions all conference, juniors Grace Prybil and Abigail Pierson. 

Only trailing Kraus in games started on the mound, Prybil posted a 4-5 pitching record with an ERA of 2.91 and struck out 33 batters. Pierson hit the ball 23 times, had 27 RBIs, and recorded a .284 batting average. 

With the season over Highland will say goodbye to five seniors: Smith, Kraus, Stransky, Jenna Waters, and Katelyn Waters. 

Still retaining a large portion of their roster, with seven juniors set to become seniors, Highland will look to not only replicate the success of this season next year but will plan to expand upon it to reach greater heights.