The 2016 HPHS Varsity Softball team returned from their trip to Sugar Land, Texas last week after participating in the Ft. Bend Invitational Tournament. Over three days, the Lady Scot's fastpitch squad played five softball games and came away with a 2-3 record. 

In the tourney, HP came up short against Lamar (Houston), Kincaid and Ft. Bend Christian Academy, but beat St. John's and John Cooper (The Woodlands).  It was in these two victories where the Lady Scots showed their stuff, and on both sides of the ball!

In beating St. John's, senior pitcher Katie Bell threw a no-hitter.  Bell struck-out seven Lady Mavericks, and, were it not for one small fielding error, would have thrown a perfect game in the 5-0 shut-out win.  Against John Cooper, HP logged 9 hits in scoring 8 runs in their 8-6 victory.  Several Lady Scots tagged the John Cooper pitcher for extra bases; including senior Sunny Bowden's double, junior Olivia Davis' double and triple, and senior Rennie Orr's solo home run in the top of the 2nd.

The John Cooper win likely gave the Lady Scots momentum for their district 10-6A opener this past Monday night at the Mesquite Girls Softball Complex.  As they had last season, Highland Park opened their district play against North Mesquite.  A year ago, HP pounded N. Mesquite 18-3 -- but this was a far better team than last year's Lady Stallion crew, but, with 7 returning seniors and 7 returning players with all-district honors, Highland Park's a better team in 2016 as well.  And it showed.

HP recorded 10 hits in beating N. Mesquite 6-0.  The Lady Scots hit the ball hard in every inning scoring 3 runs each in the top of the 1st and top of the 5th innings. Seniors Emily Singh, Rennie Orr and Katie Bell each had multiple hit nights.  Moreover, pitcher Katie Bell went the full 7 innings, gave up only two hits, walked one, and struck-out 12 Lady Stallion batters.

Highland Park next plays rival J.J. Pearce in the Lady Scots district home opener on Friday night at 7pm.  With HP moving back to 5A next season, it may be a while before the Lady Scots host the Lady Mustangs at the HP Softball Field.