After defeating the Carrollton Creekview Mustangs 8-6 in their regular season opener on Feb. 15, the 2016 HPHS Lady Scot Varsity Softball Team participated in the 6th Annual Forney ISD Invitational Softball Tournament last weekend at the Forney Community Park. Over three days, Highland Park played 5 games in the round robin-style tournament and finished with a 1-4 record in playing some of the top fastpitch teams in the Dallas area.
The Lady Scots began the tournament, Thursday against a stout Frisco Independence squad. HP lost the game 3-5. Though nearly keeping pace with their opponent in hits (8-9), HPs 3 fielding errors were the difference in the game. Highland Park was led at the plate by senior captains Rennie Orr (who had two base hits and an RBI) and Sunny Bowden (who doubled and scored a run), and by pitcher Katie Bell -- who had a base hit and struck-out 8 of the Independence Knights.
HP’s middle two games were even tougher contests. HP faced Crandall High School, last year’s district 13-4A champ, losing 10-1, and Frisco; last season’s District 9-5A champ and a regional semi-finalist. The Frisco Racoons pitcher, a Texas A&M commit, one-hit the Lady Scots, striking out 11 on the way to an 11-0 win.
Highland Park’s final two games were Saturday against Waxahachie, who two hit HP on their way to a 1-0 win, and Irving; who was revved-up for this rematch of last season’s bi-district match-up (which HP won). The Lady Scots came out on top in this contest as well, 10-5. Highlights from this win included junior shortstop Amanda Reenan’s 2-for-4 day (with a triple) and 1st baseman Sydney Thompson’s base hit and double along with 2 RBI. Senior pitcher Katie Bell pitched all five games of the tournament for the Lady Scots, tallying 33 innings of work. Last season’s district 10-6A Pitcher of the Year struck out 24 total batters.
At 2-4 overall, the Highland Park softball team will host Bishop Lynch on Tuesday night before traveling to Houston later this week to play in Ft. Bend Christian Academy’s Invitational Tournament. Similar to the Forney Invitational, Ft. Bend’s tournament will also field some top softball teams, many of which are top private school programs including some of HP’s opponents; Lamar (Houston), St. John’s, Kincaid and Ft. Bend Christian Academy; a four-time TAPPS state champion.
It is Head Varsity Softball Coach Meredith Townsend’s belief that tougher opponents in non-district play will better prepare the Lady Scots for their district, which, for Highland Park, opens on Tuesday, March 1st at N. Mesquite (then at home against JJ Pearce on March 4th). This is same strategy that netted HP Softball a playoff berth last season and a bi-district championship as well. Good luck Lady Scots!