Only four games into the young baseball season, and Highland is already closing in on last year's win total.

"It's amazing what can happen when you play as a team," second year head coach J. J. Costantino said Wednesday night.

For the Hawks, teamwork is resulting in wins, which were tough to come by last season. Highland got its fourth win in as many games, beating Skyline 5-0 in a non-region contest at Highland under the lights.

The Hawks got a solid outing from junior Canden Cheney, who went five innings, striking out six batters and allowing two base hits. Sophomore Mason Porter closed out the last two innings.

"This is Canden's first year on varsity, and he pitched his butt off tonight," Costantino said. "Our pitching staff has been the primary strength for us this year. We have a couple really solid arms that have really lifted us."

Junior Greyson Sparks went 2-3 for Highland and scored the Hawks' first two runs. Katcher Taylor drove in two runs for Highland, the first coming in the second inning when his base hit to left field drove in Sparks. Beau Tarwater drove in Sparks in the fourth inning off a base hit for a 2-0 lead.

With the 2-0 lead, the Hawks threatened to blow the game open, as they loaded the bases, but Skyline starter Easton Leon was able to get sophomore Cayden Hammond to ground out, keeping the damage to a minumum. 

In the bottom of the fifth, a pair of Skyline throwing errors preceded a walk, and Highland again loaded the bases. That's when Taylor drove in Miguel Ayala on an infield hit for his second RBI and a 3-0 lead

Highland got its last two runs in the bottom of the sixth when it had the bases loaded once again. Sparks was then able to draw a walk that scored Ayala from third base, before Noah Sanchez was hit by a pitch from Skyline reliever Hunter Daniels.

For the game, Highland left 13 runners sttranded on base.

"That was frustrating," Costantino added. Highland will face Campo Verde Friday, as Arizona State commit Max Mousser will get the start for the Hawks.

Skyline (8-2) will host Gilbert on Friday.