Softball Game Preview: Hillcrest Knights vs. Highland Rams

The Hillcrest Knights will head out on the road to square off against the Highland Rams at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Hillcrest has given up an average of 11.4 runs per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Last Tuesday, Hillcrest came up short against Shelley and fell 12-7.

Meanwhile, Highland faced Pocatello in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Wednesday. The Rams won by a run and slipped past the Thunder 2-1. While the Rams didn't have the best season last year (they finished 4-22), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

McKenna Sutton spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned run on six hits and racked up ten Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in four consecutive appearances.

On the hitting side, Reece Bybee was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing two bases while going 3-for-4. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last five games she's played. Another player making a difference was Emerson Gifford, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one double.

Hillcrest's loss ended a five-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 4-3. As for Highland, their win bumped their record up to 7-3.

Everything went Hillcrest's way against Highland when the teams last played back in March of 2024, as Hillcrest made off with an 11-5 victory. Will the Knights repeat their success, or do the Rams have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.