Knutson, Hart, Higgins lead HP lineup that will feature depth and experience
Highland Park expects to be improved on the softball field this year. Whether it’s enough to close the gap on the powerhouse foes in its district is another matter.
To return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023, the Lady Scots will need to contend with elite Frisco ISD programs like Wakeland, Reedy, and Lone Star, as well as Carrollton Creekview and The Colony.
HP dropped 11 of its 14 district contests a year ago, many by lopsided margins. So, head coach Michael Pullen decided to tweak the team’s approach to offseason training.
He borrowed strategies from successful college programs to help combat top pitchers and also is incorporating more simulations of game-like pressure situations into workouts.
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It helps that the Lady Scots return plenty of experience at key positions, nowhere more so than in the pitching circle, where senior Cecilia Knutson will again be the workhorse.
“She’s fearless in the circle and understands exactly what her role is,” Pullen said. “She’s as competitive as they get. She can play anywhere on the field, but when she’s in the circle, she’s in a world of her own.”
Other senior leaders for HP include shortstop Shannon Hart and outfielder Anna Higgins. Also back are outfielders Ava Marsh and Emma Hyde, while Sophia Price will be the third baseman and Lili Rodriguez will step in as the primary catcher.
Avery Adami and Taylor Gilliam will be in the mix, too. So will a promising freshman trio of Maryn Muntz, Lara Meghrabi, and Visong Kwon.
“I feel like we’re pretty solid one through nine. I think we’re going to put the ball in play,” Pullen said. “When it comes down to the moments that define a game, I think the girls will be able to handle it.”
Hyde, a sophomore, will be the primary relief option for Knutson in the circle. She provides a literal change of pace, with Hyde as a hard-thrower to complement Knutson’s more finessed approach to hitting her spots.
More than anything, however, Pullen has noticed a competitive edge within the roster that he hopes will pay dividends.
“I believe this team has something different about them. “They want to push themselves and hold each other accountable,” he said. “This group is hungry. They want to elevate and go further.”
