Highland softball persevering, beats Dobson in slugfest

April 21, 2011 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Highland softball coach Jamie Waldron figured after a couple weeks of the season if the Hawks were to make some noise this season it would have to be with hitting and defense.

That was the formula Thursday night as the Hawks used timely hitting, plate discipline and defense to upend Dobson, 11-7, in a 5A Central Region game at Highland High.

Highland entered the game in the 16th and final spot in the power-point rankings that determine state tournament participants. The win over Dobson keeps the Hawks there or a little better with two games to play next week with Gilbert and Corona del Sol.

"After the first few games our team was discouraged because we were scoring a lot of runs and not winning," Waldron said. "We have two freshman pitchers and a sophomore. We've focused on our hitting and defense. If our pitchers throw strikes and let us play defense we'll take our chances with our strengths."

Dobson outhit Highland, 10-9, Thursday, but the difference can be attributed to six walks issued by Dobson pitching compared to one by Highland. Five of Highland's six walks ended up scoring. Highland pitcher Arianna Ashcraft scattered 10 hits, walked one and struck out two in winning and going the distance.

Leading the way offensively for Highland (13-17 overall and 7-9 in power-point games) was Roxanne Messier, who stroked a pair of two-run doubles. Third baseman Heahter Letourneau had a double adn three RBIs and catcher Savannah Panell added two hits, including a two-run homer.

For Dobson it was a frustrating loss after a two-game winning streak and bolstered its confidence. The Mustangs overcame an early 2-0 deficit with five runs in the third inning. Highland came back and outscored Dobson, 7-1 over the next two innings to take command.

Standout senior pitcher Jacklin Lewis pitched the first 1 2/3 innings allowing two runs and two walks. Lewis left because of pain from shin splints that have bothered her recently. Junior Kevra Smith relieved Lewis and allowed seven runs, six hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. Lewis returned in the fifth inning and surrendered two more runs and two additional walks.

"This would have been a nice one to win," Dobson coach Wayne Hill said. "We've hd trouble scoring runs. It's not like we're not hitting the ball. Teams are playing good defense against us. Making a lot of plays. If we score seven runs and Jacklin's pitching, I like our chances."

Kailey Olcott, Jordan Barajas and Morgan Browning had two hits apiece for Dobson, which fell to 17-11 overall and 8-9 in power-point games.