Right-hander Addison Brandl struck out seven and COD used a four-run, four-hit fifth inning to close out visiting Highland 7-4 in Wednesday's opener in Region 4 softball at Sark Park.

The Chaps earned a split on the day, losing 16-8 in a game called after five innings.

COD (4-2, 4-2 Region 4) close the week with a doubleheader Saturday against Sauk Valley. First pitch is noon.

Highland is 3-3, 3-3.

First game: Chaparrals 7, Highland 4

• Brandl was effective throughout, never facing more than five batters in an inning
• She retired the Cougars in order in the fourth on a fly out to shortstop, a strikeout and a ground out
• She earned a strikeout in each of the seven innings
• COD trailed 4-3 entering its pivotal fifth
• Two-out singles from Riley O'Neil and Raena Del Angel set up Taylor Gloms, who ripped a two-run double
• Julia Colorato followed with an RBI-single and COD led 6-4
• Colorato later scored on an error by the right fielder and COD led 7-4 through five
• Sydney Hurst had three hits including a double in the first
• Gloms's two-run triple in the first put the Chaps on the board
• Colorato then earned an RBI-single that capped COD's three-run first

Second game: Highland 16, Chaps 8 5 innings

• Highland took advantage of a seven-run fourth
• The Cougars batted around twice, sending 11 to the plate in the second and 11 in the fourth
• Taylor Gloms' two-run single in the first gave COD a 3-1 lead
• Julia Colorato laced a two-run single in the third
• Colorato went 3-for-3 with a double in the fifth