Lake Wales Highlanders (Lake Wales, FL) backers exited the stadium thrilled Thursday as they saw their softball squad nip the visiting McKeel Academy Wildcats (Lakeland, FL), 9-8 in a non-league challenge.

The Highlanders now own a 3-1 record. They take the field next when they travel to Bartow for a non-league challenge on Friday, March 1.

With the loss, McKeel Academy falls to 0-1 on the campaign. The Wildcats host Lake Wales (Lake Wales, FL) to face the Highlanders in a non-league challenge on Monday, March 4. The Highlanders enter the challenge with a record of 3-2. Lake Wales lost 11-3 in their recent non-league challenge against Bartow (Bartow, FL)