For the first time since Ryle played in back-to-back state championship games in 2006 and 2007, a Ninth Region softball team will appear in the state semifinals.
Highlands came back to beat North Hardin, 3-2 in eight innings, on Saturday, June 6, at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington to punch a ticket to the season's final weekend.
The Bluebirds overcame two crucial mental errors to win their 28th game in their last 29 tries and keep their best ever season alive.
It was another battle of two of the state's top pitchers as neither Kaitlyn Dixon nor North Hardin hurler Brooklyn Carmickle allowed a baserunner until the fourth inning. Dixon flinched first though, allowing a walk and a single in the fourth inning. With runners on second and third and one out, Carmickle bounced a ball to Allie Meyers at third. She had a chance to tag the lead runner but misfired across the diamond, allowing the Trojans to take a 2-0 lead.
Highlands answered right back in the bottom of the inning as Leyla Zepf walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Morgan Pompilio immediately singled her home to cut the deficit in half at 2-1.