Highland, KAN. - The Hesston College softball team saw their season come to a close in a doubleheader sweep by Highland Community College on Sunday (May 5). The Larks played the Scotties close in game one, but the Highland bats came to life in game two to secure the sweep. Hesston wraps up the 2024 season at 8-30 overall and 1-21 in conference play while Highland ends the regular season 26-24 overall and 8-14 in Jayhawk Conference action.

Game One - Hesston 1, Highland 2

A walk-off left Hesston College on the wrong end of a 2-1 loss in to start the afternoon. 

The Larks took the lead in the top of the opening frame as a base hit from Emma Killingsworth drove home Shaylee Keslar, who doubled earlier in the inning. HC held onto their one-run lead for the majority of the contest as Killingsworth kept the Scotties at bay in the circle, but a pair of back-to-back RBI singles from Rylie Harwood and Molly Nicas in the bottom of the seventh lifted Highland to victory.

Makenzie Leake earned the win for Highland surrendering five hits and one run over seven innings, striking out four and walking one. Killingsworth took the loss for the Larks going 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on 10 hits, striking out two and walking two.

Killingsworth led Hesston going 1-for-3 on the day with an RBI. Killingsworth, Keslar, Madison Gonzales and Lauren Payne each collected a hit for the Larks. 

Harwood, Madison Mays and Abigail Zismer collected a pair of hits each for Highland. The Scotties were sure-handed and didn't commit a single error in the field.

Game Two - Hesston 3, Highland 12

An eight-run first inning put the Scotties in front as they took the night cap in five frames. 

Highland got on the board after Cassidy Reno hit into a fielder's choice scoring a runner from third. The scoring continued as Rylie Harwood singled, scoring two runs before a Lark fielding error allowed another Scottie to cross the plate. Madison Mays scored after tagging up on a sacrifice fly before  Ryanne Rapp tripled with the bases loaded scoring three runs.

Highland extended their early lead with four runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Rapp, Reno, and Harwood.

Meg McCallum earned the win for Highland allowing five hits and three runs (one earned) over four and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking one. Jackson took the loss going four innings, surrendering 12 runs (eight earned) on 11 hits and three walks.

Carly Lee led the Larks at the plate going 1-for-2 with an RBI on the day. Jackson also collected two hits in two at bats.

Highland tallied 11 hits in the game with Harwood, Rapp, and Abigail Zismer each collecting two hits. Harwood and Rapp each drove in four runs for the Scotties.

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