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The state of Wisconsin geography lesson for the Highland Cardinals softball team was broadened Thursday.
The Cardinals hit the road for a two and a half hour road trip and ended up in Oakfield to take on the Oakfield Oaks on their home field.
It was a tough drive and it turned out to be a tough game. But give the Cardinals and their young pitcher Grace Pustina credit....they did not back down.
Pustina was in the circle for 110 pitches and battled the entire time. She struck out three, walked four and the Oaks got to her for 15 hits and 10 earned runs.
After four innings the Cards were hanging in there, trailing 2-1. Haley Kleist scored the lone Cardinal run when she singled and romped around the bases on a triple by Morgan Kosharek.
The Cardinals had eight hits. Estee Goodweier was 2x3, Morgan Kosharek tripled and Myah Hennessey doubled while Madalyn Drury, Kleist, Pustina and Lilly Tucker all had one hit.
"It's tough on the kids driving two and a half hours to play at the other team's home park, especially for a game with so much at stake," said coach Ike Campbell.
"We had opportunities early with runners in scoring position and couldn't come up with the timely hits," he added. "We didn't play our best game, but our kids played hard and we were in a one run game in the sixth inning before things got away from us."
The loss did nothing to tarnish the fine season the young Cardinals had.
"We had a great year and I think the kids enjoyed playing the game," said Campbell. "It was fun as a coach to watch these kids grow throughout the season as ball players and as people."
"These kids have gritty attitudes and will never give in."