Highland High did not have much to show in the hit column Tuesday night, but the adage a walk is as good as a hit worked just as well for the host Hawks.

Highland scored three runs in the first inning and added an insurance run in the seventh courtesy of walks and trimmed Mesa High, 4-2, on the second day of the Highland Triple Play Classic.

HIghland evened its season record at 6-6 and improved its pool play record in the tournament to 2-1. Three of its first four batters in the first inning against Mesa lefty Jacob Beckert drew walks. All three scored -- one via a groundout by Cody Moffett, one on a single by Nolan Whittlesey and the third on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Clancy. Highland finished with four hits -- all singles. Clancy was the hitting star of the night with two hits and two RBI. His second RBI drove in the insurance run in the seventh.

Beckert, who issued six walks in the first two innings, was a pitch or two away from being lifted in the second. He managed to get the final two outs of the second and left three runners stranded. When Mesa tallied a run in the bottom of the second, it seemed to give new life to Beckert.

"He threw well the last four innings and he fought his tail off to stay in," Mesa coach Joe Bergen said. "We have a young team. We started five sophomores tonight, and could start as many as seven. They battle. They don't give up."

Beckert went six innings, allowing three hits, fanning four and totaled nine base on balls. On the flip side of pitching for Highland, junior right-hander Taylor Speth went the distance to improve to 2-0. He allowed only four hits -- all singles -- walked one and struck out two.

"He didn't have good command of a couple of his pitches, but he didn't give in," Highland coach Scott Cook said. "He threw a good game."

Mesa (6-7) is also 2-1 in pool play. Mesa plays Higley in its final pool play game Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Highland against Higley. Highland's final pool play game is Wednesday at 6 p.m.. If Highland and Mesa both win Wednesday they will advance to Thursday's semifinals.