Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 The Highland Community College baseball season got underway this past Saturday, February 20 as the Scotties traveled down to Eunice, LA in an effort to escape the winter weather that plagued much of the country the last two weeks.

Originally scheduled for a four-game series against North Arkansas College in Harrison, AR on February 19 and 20, Mother Nature had other plans and the Scotties instead found themselves with an opportunity to face-off against NJCAA Division II top-ranked LSU-Eunice and NJCAA Division I perennial power Jefferson College. An opportunity that head coach, Landon Hay and his coaching staff said the team was excited for and eager to face. "Our guys have worked incredibly hard to prepare and like all of college baseball have waited a long time to again take the field against someone in a different uniform. When the opportunity presented itself to head south and face two quality opponents like LSU-E and Jeff. Co. we knew we needed to take it. We are incredibly thankful to our administration for allowing us to make the trip and get on the field after such a long wait."

The Scotties faced off against Jefferson College on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and then faced LSU-Eunice in the nightcap before finishing the weekend against LSU-Eunice on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Highland vs. Jefferson College – February 20
Jacob Gajic took the mound for the Scotties in the season opener throwing 5 strong innings surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits while striking out 6. Coach Hay was pleased with the outing Gajic gave on the mound saying, "Jacob really competed on the mound and gave our offense a chance to settle in. I am proud of the way he filled up the strike zone and used his off speed pitches to keep Jeff Co's hitters off balance. I can't wait to see him compete for us throughout the rest of the season." Gajic gave way to a combination of Scottie relief pitchers. Austin Gottula, Max Milligan, Teron Williams, and Masayuki Maruhashi all combined to finish the game for Highland with Maruhashi eventually being credited with the win on the mound. Pitching Coach Ross Davis was pleased with the way the Scottie bullpen stepped up and allowed Highland's offense to come through when it mattered most. "We asked some guys to come into tough situations today and they battled well and got the job done. It was great to see that this early in the season" Said Davis.

Trailing 5-3 going into the bottom of the 9^th inning the Scottie offense brought 6 hitters to the plate and scored 3 runs to win it! The rally started with Jacob Selock being hit by a pitch, one of 6 Highland hitters to be hit throughout the game. Avery Miller then drew a walk allowing Lander Suarez to hit a double down the left-field line scoring both Selock and Miller to tie the game. Victor Sanchez then stepped to the plate and roped his second hit of the game, a single into the right-center gap scoring Suarez and completing the comeback for the Scotties. "I just was looking to stay cool and calm and keep my approach at the plate simple and not get too big with my swing. I had a feeling the pitcher would throw me a fastball first pitch and I just jumped on it" said Sanchez after the game.
 
Highland vs. LSU-Eunice – February 20
In a game that saw Highland lead for the majority, LSU-Eunice scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 6^th inning to take a 6-4 lead which would prove to be enough as Highland would drop the closely contested night game.

Joan Gonzalez got the start for the Scotties on the mound and threw 4.2 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits striking out 9 Bengal hitters. "Joan gave us a great effort on the mound. He mixed his pitches well and allowed our offense to get off to a great start" stated Coach Hay. Victor Sanchez added two doubles while Lander Suarez recorded 2 RBIs. The Scotties stole 5 bases in the game, something that Coach Hay said Highland will work to do on a regular basis. "We want to cause havoc on the bases and really push the pace of the game. Our guys did a great job of that tonight, a couple of things go differently and that ballgame looks different. When you play quality opponents like LSU-E they will take advantage of everything. I am just proud of the way our guys came to the ballpark tonight with the mentality that they can play with and beat anyone."

Highland vs. LSU-Eunice – February 21
LSU-Eunice came to life offensively early and did not slow down in a game that would ultimately end with the Scotties falling 12-0.

Alejandro Pina, Jorge Burgos, Isaac Nunez, and Lander Suarez all collected hits for the Scotties. While Victor Sanchez, Jason Dudzik, and Isaac Nunez all were credited with stolen bases in the contest. On the mound Cristian Quero took the loss throwing 2 innings, surrendering 5 runs on 4 hits. Stephen Keech, Luke Wilson, Bryan Rollin, Dylan Weaver, and Drake Seetin all made appearances on the mound for Highland as well.

Coach Hay recapped the road trip entirely saying that the coaching staff viewed the trip as an overall success, "We learned a lot about ourselves as a team this weekend and certainly will have some things to adjust and clean up this week in practice as we prepare for Rose State. I am proud of our guys for competing against some of the best teams in the country and not backing down. I think we have a great group of kids and coaches who will compete for every pitch this season and represent Highland Community College well."

The Scotties have a day off on Monday to recoup from the weekend and then will get to work preparing for a 4 game series in Midwest City, Oklahoma against Rose State College starting on Friday. First pitch from the Rose State Campus is slated for 12 p.m. Stay tuned to www.scottieathletics.com, as well as, @Scottie_Bsbl and @HCCScotties on twitter for any updates and information regarding Highland Scottie Baseball.