Southeast Iowa Superconference softball action returns to KCII3 as the Highland Huskies (5-5, 3-3) host the Columbus Wildcats (7-7, 5-2) in this Friday’s edition of the KCII Area Game of the Week.
The sides squared off earlier this season, as Columbus won 7-5 on May 30 on the bats of Lily Coil and Kennedy Woepking. The duo combined for all 7 RBIs on a night when each of them hit a home run for the Wildcats.
Columbus started the season off hot with a 5-0 conference record, but has slumped since, dropping five of its last seven games, with the Wildcats’ most recent defeat coming in shutout fashion at the hands of Wapello.
Highland has been up and down throughout the season, with a lack of consistency only compounded by a trio of weather postponements that have not yet been made up.
At one point seeming unstoppable, Columbus senior Lily Coil has cooled down in recent weeks, but even in a slump Coil continues to slug the ball, slashing .487/.608/0.846 in 2025.
Woepking has emerged as the Wildcat’s ace in the circle, throwing a 1.83 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP in just over 40 innings this year.
For the Huskies, a young pitching staff is led by the two-headed monster of eighth grader Jillian Stransky, who holds a 2.55 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, and freshman Larissa Murphy, who has tossed her way to a 4.74 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.
At the plate, freshman Kamryn Fink and senior Lilly Barre have been the most prolific batswomen for Highland. Fink has scored 13 runs on a .552/.618/0.621 slashline, while Barre holds the only two home runs for the Huskies and leads the team with 11 RBIs.
Highland owns a 24-4 edge since 2008 in the series, with the Wildcats’ win in May breaking a seven-game losing streak to the Huskies.
You can catch this edition of the KCII Area Game of the Week on the new KCII3 app and the KCII3 stream on KCIIradio.com. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Area Game of the Week Pregame show. First pitch is scheduled for 7 live from Columbus Junction.