Highland’s Season Ends After Gritty Effort Against Clark County

Macon, MO – The Highland Cougars came up just short in their third meeting of the season against the Clark County Indians, this time in the opening round of the district tournament. Clark County had taken the previous two matchups and completed the season sweep with a 7-5 victory on Thursday.

Highland turned to senior Anthony Walter for the start on the mound, while the Indians countered with junior Amos Phillips.

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Walter delivers a pitch at a Highland game

The Indians struck early in the bottom of the first. A single and a walk put runners on base, and sophomore Gracyn Holsted delivered a two-RBI single to give Clark County a 2-0 lead. They added another in the third inning after a walk and a single put runners in scoring position, and a groundout pushed across another run to make it 3-0.

The Cougars finally broke through in the top of the fourth. Freshman Dawson Hedges led off with a single, senior Johnathan Hager was hit by a pitch, and sophomore Brock Schneider worked a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Freshman Heath Feldkamp drove in Highland’s first run with an RBI single, and junior Tyson Voth followed with another RBI single to make it 3-2.

Brock gives a low five to coach Scneider after a base hit

But Clark County responded quickly. Elijah Miller tripled and later scored on a groundout by sophomore Corrick Hunziker to extend the lead back to two, 4-2.

In the top of the fifth, Highland battled back to tie it. Clark County brought in junior Ronan Anderson in relief, but the Cougars put pressure on. Schneider singled, Walter reached on a fielder’s choice, and Feldkamp walked to load the bases. With one out, junior Kayden Teague drew a walk to score Schneider and make it 4-3. Junior Gavin Sayers then hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Walter and tie the game at 4-4.

Again, the Indians answered. A hit-by-pitch to senior Chayce Webster, followed by a fielder’s choice and a passed ball, moved Phillips to second. Miller singled to score Phillips, and an error allowed him to reach third. Hunziker added another RBI single to give Clark County a 6-4 lead.

Heath Feldkamp checks a runner before a pitch

Highland didn’t go quietly. In the top of the sixth, with two outs, Schneider was hit by a pitch and reached third after an error on Walter’s pop fly. A balk by reliever Grady Webster brought Schneider home to cut the deficit to 6-5.

Clark County added insurance in the bottom of the seventh. Junior Wyatt Davis led off with a double, and Hunziker matched it with an RBI double to score Davis and push the lead to 7-5. Anderson returned to the mound and closed out the seventh to end Highland’s season.

Clark County advances in the district tournament and will face #2 seed Palmyra on Friday, May 16, in Macon. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Indians improve to 10-11 on the season.

Key Stats – Clark County

Ronan Anderson (W) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Elijah Miller – 2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Chayce Webster – 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI

Key Stats – Highland

Anthony Walter (L) – 6.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R (6 ER), 2 BB, 3 SO
Brock Schneider – 2-for-2, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP
Heath Feldkamp – 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB

Highland finishes the season at 3-16-1 under first-year head coach Ben Buening. The Cougars will graduate three seniors: Anthony Walter, Johnathan Hager, and Ean Ammer. Looking ahead, the program will look to return three juniors, three sophomores, and six freshmen moving into their sophomore year. It remains to be seen how many incoming freshmen will join the roster next season.