The first state baseball appearance in 32-years was a brief one for the Highland Huskies baseball team (24-7 overall). The Huskies were in the opening game of the Class 1A state baseball tournament Friday, facing the Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks (31-5 overall). A five-run bottom of the sixth inning propelled the Hawks into the state semifinals, beating the Huskies, 10-5.

Trailing 4-0 entering the fifth inning, Highland scored five runs on five hits, taking a 5-4 lead. Remsen St. Mary’s closed the game, scoring six unanswered runs, one in the bottom of the fifth and five runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Junior Bill Burton was the only Huskies player to record multiple hits in the game. Junior Chase Rath plated two of the five runs on a triple in the fifth. Rath also took the loss in relief, allowing six runs on six hits, walking three and striking out two in 2.2 innings pitched.

Highland’s season comes to an end at 24-7 overall. The Huskies lose Spencer Wieland to graduation.