Having won its first-round state playoff game on Monday, the softball team is preparing for a quarterfinal game on Thursday against Hempfield.

The Highlanders won Monday, 9-6, over Mifflin County at State College.

Sophomore Cassie Carlson was pleased with her team’s performance.

“We played really well. Our offense and defense were both good,” Carlson said. “We batted really well through the lineup.”

Senior catcher Carly Santillo stood out in the win.

“She went 4-4. She hit very well,” Carlson said. “Our defense played really well too.”

As for Hempfield, the Highlanders lost to them in a scrimmage earlier this year.

“We had really good defense,” Carlson said of the scrimmage. “We need to hit the ball off of them. If we get some more hits, I think we will be OK.”

Thursday’s game against Hempfield starts at 3 p.m. at Latrobe.