FAIRBORN — An impressive lightning display in the distance delayed the start of Highland’s first ever trip to the regional softball tournament Thursday. But, it was nothing compared to the show the Scots put on once the game started.
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Highland found lightning in the bottle for the third straight game, rallying in its final at-bat to beat Miami East, 5-3, in the Division III Regional Semifinal at Wright State University.
The Scots (21-9), who had rallied for wins in both district tournament games, put together their best rally yet, scoring four times in the top of the seventh inning to beat the Vikings (22-7).
“We’ve just done a great job, I guess, of not giving up at all,” said Highland coach Enid Claxon. “We were definitely struggling the first six innings. The girls decided, ‘we’re not going to give up.’ They’ve done it the last three games. I hope they keep it up.”
Highland had struggled offensively against starting pitcher Sara Heffelfinger the first five innings, but finally broke through with a run in the sixth. The floodgates opened in the seventh, thanks to an early present from the Vikings. Jaime Eblin singled to lead off the seventh for Highland, and Miami East coach Brian Kadel turned to his closer, Madison Linn. She proved to be much more to the liking of the Scots’ batters.
