Highlands Takes Over District 15-1A Lead With 3-0 Win Over Sheridan Hills

Friday night, Highlands Christian hosted Sheridan Hills with the lead in District 15-1A at stake. Highlands cruised to a 3-0 win on the strength of the Hepple brothers, Jason and Eric, both of whom contributed in different ways.

Senior Jason Hepple made his contribution with his bat and his arm. Offensively, the elder Hepple homered in the fifth, increasing a slim Knights lead to 2-0. Behind the plate, the catcher erased all three Sharks runners attempting to steal. As for the home run, Hepple understood the situation he was in.

“I was expecting a 2-0 fastball,” said Hepple. “I just happened to get a good swing, and it got out of the park.”

Younger brother Eric starred on the mound, throwing six shutout innings of four-hit baseball. Defensively, the Knights played well behind Hepple, turning two double plays. The freshman pitcher wanted to complete the game, but Head Coach Joe Shadowens went to closer Kirvin Moesquit, who sandwiched a walk between three outs to pick up the save.

“I asked to go the seventh inning,” said the Knights starter. “but coach decided to give it to Kirvin to get the last three outs.” Hepple then added that he was pleased with his outing.

Sharks starting pitcher Chris Meyer matched Hepple through the first four innings, with both starters bringing shutouts into the fifth. Highlands got on the board in the bottom of the fifth, when lead-off batter Moesquit doubled to right center, stole third, and scored on the catcher’s errant throw.

The other run in the game came courtesy of two Sheridan Hills errors in the sixth. The Sharks ended the game with seven errors, much to the chagrin of Head Coach Paul Barrios.

“What I came here to do was see where my team stands, because they’re (Highlands) probably the crop of our district,” said Barrios. “Instead of giving them twenty-one outs, we gave them twenty-eight. I am, however, proud of my guy that was out there on the mound, my tenth grader, Chris Meyer, and we were in it despite the errors, so there is hope.”

Meyer went the distance for Sheridan Hills, allowing only five hits and giving up only two earned runs. The defense let him down, however, and that was due to the aggressive approach of the Knights.

“I’m a firm believer in playing an aggressive game,” said Knights Coach Shadowens, “where you can put pressure on the defense. You got boys who want to run, and like to run, so why hold them back?”

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