Nick Flabiano, left, makes the tag on a steal attempt by Fort Worth Nolan in a game earlier this season. The Scots’ infield play has solidified in the last two games.

Highland Park remained in the District 10-4A baseball playoff hunt Tuesday, even if it’s a full step behind the leaders as the district season reaches its midpoint.

The Scots’ 8-0 win over Greenville came with a commanding pitching performance from Wyatt Holliday, and a defense that lent an assist giving up only two hits. Pitching hasn’t been an issue with the Scots (16-8, 2-4), as Holliday’s stay on the mound followed his complete-game effort against Mesquite Poteet on March 14, and Travis Jones’ five-hit showing against Rockwall-Heath on March 16. Unearned runs cost HP both games, as five of the seven combined runs given up in both losses came on Scots errors.

The Greenville game was a hit parade for HP, sparked by Seth Gardner’s two doubles.

 
A 17-8 win over Colleyville Heritage at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington last Saturday may have broken the HP bats out of a slump. The Scots scored 17 runs on 15 hits, one-third of them going for extra bases. Jonathan Perlman and Ryan O’Dwyer each hit triples, and Joey Hainsfurther (two) and Nick Flabiano had doubles for the Scots in the special appearance at the home of the Texas Rangers.

HP’s 2-4 district record is still three games behind third place and a playoff berth. Its climb up the district standings demands better play on the road, and the Scots play their next two games at West Mesquite (7:30 p.m. today) and Terrell (7:30 p.m. Tuesday). The Scots are 0-4 in district road games, one of only two teams without a road win in district. Overall, the road team is 12-11 in District 10-4A games heading into today’s game.