The Highland baseball team took the first two games from the Pirates in the final four-game series of the season.
 
Highland struck early scoring two of their three runs in the top of the first inning Friday night. Joshua Grubaugh accounted for those two runs after hitting a single driving in Keishon Brown and Mitchell Austin.
 
The final score came in the top of the fifth as Jacob Hanson hit a solo homerun, his fifth of the seaon.
 
Cody Rottinghaus pitched a shutout in game one throwing all seven innings and giving up 0-runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out four.
 
Game two saw the Independence Pirates jumping out in front scoring a run in both the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead over the Scotties.
 
Highland answered with a huge 8-run top of the fourth inning. Back to back singles from Mitchell Austin and Wyatt Nowack got things rolling to start the inning. Adam Miner, Anthony Nichols and Wyatt Nowack all had RBI's in the inning while Phoenix Keller and Brian Taylor were hit by pitches with bases loaded helping score the runners from third.
 
That 8-run inning took the wind out of the Pirates sails and the Scotties cruised to an 8-2 victory.
 
Anthony Nichols led the offensive charge for Highland going 2-4 with two RBI's. Wyatt Nowack, Adam Miner, Brian Taylor and Phoenix Keller all finished with one-RBI each.
 
Brandon McVey had a great night on the mound throwing eight complete innings giving up two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out five. Stachy McLoud came in and finished the game in the bottom of the ninth. He walked one and gave up 0-runs on 0-hits.
 
Highland will take on the Pirates for the final two games of the series and the final games of the season for both teams on Tuesday, May 2. Location is still to be determined as the field conditions in Highland are currently un-playable due to weather.