By David Sharp
Payton Miller pitched a seven inning, three hit shutout leading Highland (8-13, 1-5) to a 3-0 conference win at South Shelby in October 5, 2021 varsity softball action. Haleigh Winter doubled and scored on Sydney Sedelmeier’s second inning ground out for the first Lady Cougar run.
Mariah Murphy led off the Highland fifth inning drawing a walk off Lady Bird hurler Zoe Elliott. Emma Harshberger tripled Highland runner Ellie Goehl home for a 2-0 Cougar lead.
Emma Harshberger singled with two out in the seventh inning. Olivia Ritterbusch singled to center field, driving in Harshberger with the third Highland run.
South Shelby threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning. Miranda Patterson singled with one out in the seventh. Hannah Winter threw the runner out attempting to steal for the second out of the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jayda Lanpher singled for South Shelby Emma Dovin grounded out back to the circle to end the game with Highland taking the 3-0 decision. The Lady Birds (10-15, 1-6) were blanked on three hits.
Zoey Elliott pitched the first four innings with two strikeouts and two hits. One earned run was charged to the South Shelby starter. Cassidy Curtis pitched three Lady Bird innings. Curtis struck out one batter with three walks on four hits. Two earned runs were charged to Curtis.
Highland scored three runs on six hits. Emma Harshberger was 2-4 with a run scored and another batted in. Payton Miller struck out 12 batters with no walks and no runs allowed on three hits.
