A busy week of softball action continued for the No. 1 ranked Highland Huskies (18-5 overall) on Thursday with a Southeast Iowa Super Conference day, night doubleheader. Highland began yesterday in Lone Tree with a morning conference bout against the Lions (8-19 overall), and finished the day at home versus the Pekin Panthers (6-15 overall).

The Huskies and Lions were tied 3-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Lone Tree freshman Marisa Swails stepped up to the plate and ended the game with an RBI single, giving the Lions an unexpected 4-3 victory over the top ranked Huskies.

In the nightcap, Highland had to dig themselves out an early hole, allowing a run on two hits in the top of the first for a 1-0 deficit. The rest of the night belonged to the Huskies, responding in the bottom of the first with runs from sophomore Kelsey Hora and senior Courtney Hahn for a 2-1 lead after a single inning. The score stayed intact until the fourth inning when Hahn led the inning off with a double, scoring two batters later on an RBI single by senior Morgan Craig. Craig and senior Katie Chalupa would also score in the inning for a 5-1 lead over the Panthers after four innings. The score would hold in the final two-and-a-half innings for a 5-1 final score.

Highland senior pitcher Katie Springer threw another complete game, allowing one run on two hits, walking one, and striking out nine batters. She retired the final 15 Panthers in a row.

The victory over the Panthers gives the Huskies the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North regular season title, going 5-1 in conference games played over a four day period.

Highland’s record sits at 18-5 overall. The Huskies are scheduled to compete today in a holiday softball tournament at Alburnett High School against the Alburnett Pirates (18-16) and the Independence Mustangs (10-23).