The Highlanders had to account for traffic delays and cold, wet weather as they prepared to face off against Tomball Memorial in the first game of the day of the Highlander Invitational Saturday. With the running of the marathon and subsequent road closures, the girls had to be creative in how they arrived at the school to prepare for the game including taking different routes, sweet-talking officers and riding their bikes to get to the school on time. As the game was about to start, the morning mist turned into a drizzle that made for less-than ideal playing conditions and caused a bit of a delay to the start of the game. But the girls were able to overcome all of that and a solid Wildcat team as they recorded the 7-3 victory. As has been true for the tournament, Aubrey Leach led off the bottom of the first with a walk and proceeded to steal second and scored on a fielding error by the shortstop as she stole third. Kaitlyn Stavinoha scored in the bottom of the fourth on a ground-out by Kelcy Leach to make it 2-0 before the floodgates opened in the bottom of the fifth when the Highlanders were able to string the hits together to plate 5 more runs. Abby Langkamp was solid in the circle pitching 5 scoreless innings, striking out 3 while allowing only 1 hit (a bunt single) and no walks before turning the game over to Emily Langkamp who struck out 2 to finish the game.
Just before the start of the final game of the tournament vs. Bellaire, the rain started to come down harder and would ultimately prove too much for either team to overcome as the field became too wet to continue in the top of the third inning. So, the game was called and the tournament ended in an anticlimactic finish. Thanks to everyone working the concession stand, the pressbox, the field and all of the work behind the scenes to make this tournament a success.
Two tournaments down and one to go as the Highlanders are scheduled to continue district play this week at home against Atascocita Tuesday and at College Park Friday with the Sienna Tournament Thursday and Saturday. This is a big week for the program so do everything you can to support the girls in their quest for another district title and ultimately the state championship. Here we go! Here we go! Braveheart!