Super-young Highland gives No. 1 Wayne a challenge before falling, 7-4

FORT DODGE — The most challenging aspect of the Highland softball program lies far outside the foul lines.

It’s this ... how do you get everybody to practice?

“They have to find parents to drive them or teammates to pick them up,” Coach Carrie Wieland said.

The Huskies’ secondary nickname could be Team School Permit. They’re that young.

They didn’t play young — or scared — Tuesday afternoon.

Highland hung with top-ranked Wayne for most of their Class 1A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament at the Rogers Sports Complex. The Falcons ultimately prevailed, 7-4.

“We had a few butterflies, but that happens every single game,” freshman Kamryn Fink said. “We were seeded eighth, but we wanted to prove everybody wrong.”

Both teams compiled 10 hits.

The Huskies (17-10) proved the program’s future is very, very bright. Their 10 starters consist of a senior, a junior, a sophomore, three freshmen and four eighth-graders.

Highland’s 16-girl varsity roster contains three legal drivers.

“I’m excited about our future, but I’m sad this has to end,” Wieland said.

The Huskies held a fleeting 3-2 lead after a three-run rally in the top of the third inning. Junior Adalyn Prottsman had a two-run double to put Highland in front.

But Wayne (26-2) regained the lead with two runs in the third, and extended it to 6-3 with a pair in the fourth.

Wayne catcher Allie Jo Fortune had two RBIs. She took a foul tip off the catcher’s mask midgame.

“Straight off my head,” she said. “I needed a minute, but I had no thought of coming out.”

Wayne is making its sixth state appearance in seven years. The Falcons’ best finish in that recent run is third place, in 2023.

They’ll face No. 5 Oakland Riverside (25-3) in a 1A semifinal at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Highland’s consolation game is 12:45 Wednesday afternoon, against No. 6 Newell-Fonda (24-12).

Wayne 7, Highland 4

Class 1A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Highland 003 000 1 — 4 10 3

Wayne 202 201 x — 7 10 1

Jillian Stransky and Ashley Sweeting. Izzie Moore and Allie Jo Fortune. W — Moore (20-0). L — Stransky (9-6).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com