The Highland Scotties lost their final match of the 2021 NJCAA Tournament on Thursday night 5-3 to Mississippi Gulf Coast to close out one of the most successful seasons in team history.

As the sun set over the beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama, so did the Scotties' hope of bringing home the school's first National Championship.

Mississippi Gulf Coast came out strong in the first inning scoring 4 runs, and posted a number that, despite an intense effort, the Scotties could simply not overcome. Highland cut the lead in half at the end of the first inning with each team only scoring one more run for the rest of the game, leaving Highland short of a victory and tied with their best finish in tournament history (top-6 in the nation).

Aliks Serna went 2-3 on the evening with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Rosie Anguiano was also 2-3 in the match, with one walk drawn.

KJCCC MVP, Lilli Weir, came on in relief and pitched 3 innings of shutout softball, but the Scotties could not find the hits to continue their run in the tournament.

Despite the early exit from the tournament, Highland's 2021 season was a record setting year for the Scotties in multiple statistical categories.

Let's take a look at some of their impressive accomplishments this season:
Single Season Team Records:
5 Players on All-KJCCC 1^st Team (Most Ever)
8-Time NJCAA Region VI District Championships, 5-Time KJCCC East Champions
Played in EVERY Region 6 District Championship Game the last 11 Years (2021)
8 NJCAA Division II National Tournament Berths in last 11 Years
11^th Straight Appearance in Region VI District Title Game
4^th Coach of Year Honor for Heidi Jordon
15^th Straight 30-Win Seasons
(5) 40-Win Seasons
Most KJCCC Wins in a Season (26-4)
Most Runs Scored (479)
Most Doubles (113)
Most Walks (200)
2^nd in RBI's (418)
2^nd in Home Runs (76)
2^nd in Stolen Bases (142-147)
3^rd in Hits (547)

In addition to multiple team records set this season, several individuals secured spots on Highland's All-Time records list.
Single Season – Individual Records (Top 10)
Gabby Schultz
1^st – Hits (88)
8^th – Batting Avg (0.473)
5^th - Runs Scored (65)
T-7^th – RBI (64)
T-7^th – Home Runs (12)
Cheyenne Minnick
1^st – Walks (37) 
T-1^st – Runs Scored (80)
T-4^th – Hits (75)
5^th – Stolen Bases (39-40)
T-8^th – Home Runs (11)
T-9^th – Doubles (13)
Kerstyn Finch
T-4^th – Doubles (180)
Lauryn Johnson
4^th – Walks (27)
T-5^th – Triples (4)
Single Season Pitching
Lilli Weir
3^rd – Strike Outs (201)
6^th – Wins (17-3)
With a strong base of returning freshman, and the ever-impressive list of incoming freshmen, the Scotties should have no problems finding success in 2022.

Statistic Credit: Russ Karn