Over the weekend, Highlands Ranch Falcons softball (7-5) hosted its sixth annual military service appreciation day by playing in a doubleheader against the Lewis-Palmer Rangers (8-5) and the Wheat Ridge Farmers (4-8).

The annual event is overseen by head coach Deborah Kortbawi, who comes from a military family with a history of service.

Kortbawi's team makes breakfast burritos at her home to fundraise, which the girls sell at school. All the proceeds go to the U.S. Army emergency relief fund in Fort Carson.

“My dad actually served in the Old Guard,” Kortbawi said. “Both my uncles served and my daughter just got married to an Air Force E6, so I do have a lot of military kids that are serving right now.”

Highlands Ranch has always had a strong military background as many grads tend to enlist. Principal Chris Page says the annual event is a way for them to give back to the community.

“It’s really amazing because I think one of the staples of Highlands Ranch High School is our connection of the military,” said Page.

Al Everett, the athletic director of Highlands Ranch, said the event unites players and families with loved ones who served.

While this event is always one of the highlights of the season for the Falcons, coach Kortbawi reached a career milestone this weekend by achieving her 200th win in the second game.

In the first game, the Falcons went up against the Rangers and lost 7-4.

Senior right-handed pitcher Celie Page was on the mound for the Falcons in game one and unfortunately found herself struggling early on after giving up five runs in the first two innings.

The Falcons later rallied in the third and fourth innings by scoring on a double steal and on two wild pitches to make the score 5-4. Page would go on to pitch great for the rest of the game by striking out six in a full seven innings. Unfortunately, she had a rough inning in the seventh by giving up three runs to make the final score of the afternoon.

“It was pretty exhausting,” Page said. “The defense backed me up while I was on the mound and we fought throughout the whole game.”

In game two, senior right-handed pitcher Amelia Poucher started the game pitching four innings and striking out three batters. Page would come in to relieve her for the last two innings of the game and only gave up two runs.

Early in game two, the Falcons found themselves in a 2-1 deficit until the third inning when senior center fielder Belle Andrews came to the plate and delivered a solo shot to straightaway centerfield giving the Falcons the lead making the score 3-2. Andrews finished her day going 4-4 at the plate with two home runs, five rbi’s, one double, and a single.

Following Andrews home run in the third, the Falcons went on to score five more runs making the score 8-2.

Andrews mentioned that before the second game, she was struggling at the plate. In the first game, she went 0-3 with two strikeouts.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit and I really just needed that to come to help my team win,” said Andrews.

After the third inning, the Falcons offense continued to dominate by scoring eight more runs to give a final score of 16-6, giving coach Kortbawi her 200th career victory.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better win, then have a walk-off and know that’s your 200th win,” Kortbawi said. “Awesome win, awesome walkoff win and she’s an incredible young lady.”

Highlands Ranch's next game will be a road game on Sept. 13. Against Douglas County High School.