FAIRLESS HILLS, PA -  Two late-game comebacks fall just short as the Highlanders clashed with the Ravens on a wet and windy Thursday afternoon.

Before the doubleheader, the Highlanders honored the careers of their two seniors, Melissa Good and Krista Earl. While Melissa has only played softball for her senior season, her coaches remarked on her immediate impact both on and off the field.  Her teammates appreciate her genuine care that she has for them and the joy she brings to both practices and games. 

Krista Earl has been a dominating presence in the circle for the Highlanders since her freshman year, shattering the Cairn career strikeout record in only one year by recording 184 strikeouts in her freshman season. Since then, Krista has worked her way into the rest of the record books and currently stands at 318 career strikeouts and 30 wins, even after losing most of her junior season to the COVID-19 pandemic. Krista has also made a big impact at the plate, recording 74 hits and 50 RBIs. Because of all these accomplishments, she was named to Cairn Softball's 2010s All-Decade team as the "most talented pitcher to ever put on a Highlander uniform."

Both Good and Earl have been important pieces for the Highlanders this season, and the softball program is proud to honor their accomplishments and careers!

GAME ONE: After the ceremony, the teams got to work amidst the swirling wind and constant drizzle. Neither the Highlanders or the Ravens could get much offense going in the first two innings, but the Highlanders broke open the scoring first in the bottom of the third, when back-to-back-to-back-to-back hits from Kacey Wees, Theresa Beck, Krista Earl, and Elizabeth Malarski plated two runs for Cairn. The Ravens were able to respond in the top of the fifth inning with a bottom-of-the-order home run to left field to drive in two runs of their own. In the bottom of the fifth, Jenna Kenyon singled and then worked her way around the bases on a Rosemont error, and Kasey Wees brought her home with a single to shortstop to put the Highlanders up 3-2. Rosemont scored four runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead for the first time in the game, 6-3. Backs against the wall, the Highlanders got to work in the bottom of the seventh, when two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Elizabeth Malarski, who singled to center field to drive in two runs and put the Highlanders down just 5-6. Olivia Nieto worked a walk to load the bases once again, setting the stage for an epic comeback, but two quick Highlander outs ended the rally and the game, Rosemont 6, Cairn 5.

In game one, Jenna Kenyon lead the Highlanders with 3 hits (3-4), and Elizabeth Malarski had 3 RBIs (1-3). Starting pitcher Krista Earl pitched a complete game and scattered three strikeouts to add to her impressive career total.

GAME TWO: With rain moving in and impending darkness, the teams agreed to play the second half of the doubleheader to just five innings. Both teams seemed to catch a sense of urgency, as all of the scoring in the shortened game came in the first inning. In the top of the first, the Ravens opened things up with their second home run of the day, and would go on to score three more runs to take an early 4-0 lead. Cairn responded in their half of the first, using timely Rosemont errors and an Olivia Nieto single to plate three runs to bring the score to 4-3 after the first. The Highlanders had several chances to go ahead in the next few innings, including a two-out, bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the third, and runners on second and third in the bottom of the fourth, but simply could not plate the tying or go-ahead run. For the second time in a matter of hours, the Highlander comeback effort came up just short, and Cairn dropped the second game of the doubleheader, 4-3.

Starting pitcher Kacey Wees pitched all five innings and struck out three. Wees also had a good outing at the plate, going 2-3. Catcher Olivia Nieto had the Highlanders' only RBI of the game.

Cairn will end their season against the Patriots of the University of Valley Forge on Saturday, with the first game of the doubleheader slated to start at 1 PM. Due to the ongoing construction of the Stillman Athletic Complex, all Highlander home games will be played at a neutral site. Please consult the softball schedule for all location updates.