After one year removed from fifth-straight appearances at the National Tournament the Highland lady Scotties softball team is headed back to the NJCAA DII National Championships. 

The Lady Scotties finished out the Region VI District E Tournament on Tuesday morning taking down Independence in a 2-1 tough nine inning win to win the District E title and earn a spot at the National Tournament. Both teams were limited offensively to just six hits, but a deep fly out by Morgan Balderas brought in Kelsey McIntrye for the winning run with one-out in a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the ninth for Highland giving them the 2-1 win. Dominique Sprengers highlighted the game for the Lady Scotties as she earned the win in the circle going all nine innings giving up just one-run on six hits, while striking out 15. 

The win moves Highland to 42-10 on the season and gives them a berth into the NJCAA DII National Championships for the sixth time in the last seven years.  

Highland is set to continue their season in Clinton, MS next Wednesday, May 18th at the NJCAA DII National Championships in the double elimination National Tournament. The Scotties opponent for the first round is still to be determined as the bracket is not set with a few District tournaments yet to wrap up, but Highland will play at either 1:30pm or 3:30pm for their first round game on the 18th. (Full list of District winners/National tournament qualifying teams - click here)