After excess precipitation spoiled things in May, Highland and WACO finally get their chance to battle it out on the softball diamond tonight in an Area Game of the Week conference doubleheader on KCII.
In what is their first solo softball season as a school since 2016, WACO is looking for their first victory against Highland since the 2009 season.
The Warriors also come into the matchup still looking for their first conference and overall victory this season, as they fell most recently to Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday by a final of 16-0.
As a team, WACO has scored just six runs on 20 hits through 86 at bats, good for an average of .233. WACO has an OBP of .290 and a slug of .279. Individually, WACO is led by a pair of freshmen, Carlee Lunsford and Natalie Wagler with four hits apiece. Lunsford and Wagler own two of the three RBI tallied this season for the Warriors.
In the circle, it has been a balanced effort between senior Rhiannon Horn and freshman Drew Graber, who have pitched just shy of 89 percent of the innings so far this season for WACO.
The two have a combined record of 0-6. WACO sees opponents bat .311 against them this season, score 91 runs on 42 hits, and only strikeout 21 times. The Warriors have a team ERA of 7.64 and a WHIP of 5.07.
The home Highland Huskies march into the matchup owning a 7-5 record after falling to Davenport West on their home field Wednesday night 6-2. The Huskies are 5-2 in SEISC play.
As a team, Highland has scored 88 runs on 70 hits in 263 at bats for a .266 average. The Huskies claim an OBP of .384 and a slug of .369. Individually, Highland is led by star senior Sarah Burton with 18 runs on 15 hits, six RBI, four doubles, and a home run that came in a season-opening victory against Iowa City West. Sophomore Mackenzie Davis leads the Huskies in RBI with 10.
In the circle, senior Grace Prybil has worked just over 44 of the 67 total innings this season for Highland, striking out 49 while only allowing an opponent batting average of .178. Prybil also owns an ERA of 1.41 and a WHIP of 0.78. The Huskies see opponents bat just over Prybil’s average at .182. Highland’s team ERA is 1.67, while their WHIP is 0.93.
Catch all of the action live tonight on AM 1380, FM 102.5/106.1 KCII as well as both KCII1 and KCII2 apps and streaming online at KCIIRadio.com, beginning with the Roder Epoxy Pregame Show at 5:00 and first pitch of game one to follow at 5:30 from Highland High School.