The Highland Community College softball team traveled to Concordia this past weekend for their final tune-up games before conference action. HCC won all five games to improve to 10-4 on the season. In game one, Highland defeated Brown Mackie, 10-2. Lauren Massey (Lawrence) followed up her perfect game in her last outing and got the win in the circle, giving up only two runs in her five innings of work. Baylee Dillon (Grapevine, TX) sparked the Scottie offense with two homeruns and six RBI’s.

In game two, Highland quickly disposed of North Platte Community College by the score of 4-0. Zuzana Kudernatschova (Czech Republic) continued her impressive start to the 2012 season by allowing only one hit while striking out twelve batters. Kayla Gritt (Arlington, TX) connected on a fifth inning, two run double to open the scoring for the Scotties. They tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning that provided more than enough support for Kudernatschova.

The HCC pitching staff maintained their excellence in the final game of the day against Southeast Community College. Katie Slibowski (Lathrop, MO) threw the third complete game of the day for the Scotties. Slibowski allowed only two hits in a dominant 6-0 Highland victory. Kayla Gritt stayed hot at the plate going 3-4 with three more RBI’s.

Day two in Concordia had Highland in a matchup with Colby Community College. The temperature was only 28 degrees, but that wasn’t enough to cool off the Scotties’ bats. The offense pounded out sixteen hits in a 14-3 victory for HCC.  Baylee Dillon hit her third homerun of the weekend and added five RBI’s.  Lauren Massey scattered three runs enroute to her third straight victory.

The final matchup on the weekend proved to be the toughest for the Scotties. They faced Western Nebraska Community College which is ranked #19 in Division I.  Zuzana Kudernatschova once again was called on to counter a very talented Western Nebraska pitcher. This game was dominated by the two pitchers. The Scottie offense managed only three hits in the game. The biggest hit of the day was a two out single by Kudernatschova that scored Addie Billinger (Ellinwood) from second base. That run would be the only run either team managed in a 1-0 Highland win. Kudernatschova completed her third straight shutout victory, allowing only three hits and striking out eleven.

Highland has now won eight straight. They look to continue that streak Tuesday, with the start of conference play at Johnson County at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.