Highland, KS – When you get a calm, sunny day in Kansas in the spring rolls around, no matter the temperature, you have to take advantage of it if you are a spring sport. That's just what Highland did Wednesday afternoon as they took on Cloud County in a chilly double-header at Scottie Park.
 
The Scotties were victorious and took the sweep over the T-Birds defeating them 18-2 and 10-0 both in 5-inning run-rules. This was the 19^th and 20^th matchup for the two teams since 2008 and Highland has been victorious in 18 of those games. The Scotties have also only given up three runs or less in 18 of those 20 games to the T-Birds.
 
It was an offensive day for the Scotties as they hit the cycle in homeruns with a solo, two-run, three-run and grand slam on the day. Sydney Anderson continued her streak and is now on an 11-game hitting streak.
 
 
Game One: Highland 18-2 (5-innings)
 
After Cloud County scored two runs off a Scottie error in the top of the first, Highland took over and never looked back.
 
Highland answered in the bottom of the first with four runs of their own with sac fly from Sydney Anderson, a two RBI double from Haley Donaldson and an RBI single from Mayah Daniels.
 
Julisa Ortega got one batter to line out and struck out the other two for a quick top of two putting the bats back in the hands of her teammates. Highland took advantage tacking on five more runs in the second inning with RBI's from Sam Moran, Kami Zimmerman, Aubry Hernandez and Daniels. Highland took a 9-2 lead after two full innings.
 
Highland really turned it on offensively in the third inning scoring nine runs to take an 18-2 lead. In the third, Alyssa Wesley got it started with a solo homerun over center field. Sydney Anderson followed that up with a double to right scoring Zimmerman from third. Aubry Hernandez drove in her second run of the day with a single to right and then it was a pair of homeruns from Alexis Hodapp and Sara Shinn to give Highland a 17-2 lead. Kami Zimmerman rounded out the inning with an RBI single to left field scoring Audrina Hidalgo to give Highland an 18-2 lead.
 
Haley Donaldson would close out the game for Highland and the Scotties picked up their 21^st win of the season defeating Cloud 18-2 in game one of the double-header.
 
Julisa Ortega got the win for Highland pitching three innings allowing only one hit and the two runs scored by the T-Birds were unearned off a Highland error. Ortega struck out six batters and walked two. Haley Donaldson closed the game out pitching two innings allowing no runs off one hit. She struck out three and walked two.
 
Highland finished the game with 16 hits; five doubles and three homeruns. Both Alexis Hodapp and Haley Donaldson had three RBI's a piece while Anderson, Zimmerman, Hernandez, Daniels and Shinn all finished with two RBI's each.
 
 
 
Game Two: Highland 10-0 (5-innings)
 
Raegan Hamm got her 11^th win of the season pitching a complete game shutout to the visiting Thunderbirds of Cloud County as Highland cruised to a 10-0 win to complete the sweep.
 
Highland scored three runs in the first inning after the T-Birds walked in three Highland batters. They added six more in the second with a two RBI single from Alexis Hodapp and a grand slam from Mayah Daniels. Highland carried a 9-0 lead into the third.
 
Cloud showed signs of life with a double off the left field fence in the top of the third, but Hamm settled in striking out the next two batters to get out of the inning unscathed.
 
A two out single to shallow right field by Daniels would increase Highland's lead to 10-0 after three innings of play.
 
Hamm struck out two and forced a ground out in the top of the fourth to retire the side for the T-Birds. Through four innings of work, Hamm has struck out seven of her 13 batters faced.
 
Highland was held scoreless in the bottom of the fourth and headed into the top of the fifth three outs away from the sweep.
 
Hamm finished the game strong forcing a fly out, ground out, she gave up a walk then struck out her final batter to end to game in a run-rule 10-0 in favor of the Scotties.
 
Hamm improved to 11-0 on the season in the circle pitching a complete game (5-innings) allowing no runs off one hit. She struck out eight batters and walked one. Hamm now has 56 strikeouts on the season putting her fourth in the KJCCC Div. II in total strikeouts.
 
Mayah Daniels finished the game 2-3 with five RBI's with a grand slam. Alexis Hodapp added two RBI's and three runs scored in the contest.
 
Highland improves to 22-5 overall and 13-3 in KJCCC play. They will take on Hutchinson CC Thursday in Hutchinson, KS in a double-header at 2:00pm & 4:00pm.