The Highland Huskies opened the softball postseason by defeating the Lone Tree Lions 9-3 Friday night in the first round of the Class 1A Region 8 playoffs. Highland used small ball to get the job done, with all eight hits being singles and adding nine stolen bases.

Junior Sarah Burton had three of those hits and four of those steals while scoring two runs for the Huskies. Sophomore Lilly Barre also scored twice and had a pair of base hits and one run batted in.

Senior Jessica Kraus got the pitching victory and gave up three hits while piling up five strikeouts in three-and-two-thirds innings. While Lone Tree finishes the season with a record of 10-16, Highland improves to 18-10. The Huskies move on to face Wapello in the Region 8 quarterfinals Wednesday evening.

Highland baseball was not as fortunate, seeing their season come to an end in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel Saturday with New London in the 1A District 9 playoffs. Despite another brilliant effort from senior pitcher Ethan Paisley, a run for the Tigers in the top of the sixth inning proved to be the difference. The Huskies end their season with a mark of 11-15. Along with Paisley, Highland will have to say good-bye to seniors Tyler Thompson, Peyton Yeggy and Kody Grecian.