SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Arden Hatch threw a five-inning shutout with 12 strikeouts to lead St. Francis to a 14-0 win over Pioneer.
"We all came out together after the loss at Sheldon to band together," said Hatch. "I felt like I had my whole team behind me."
Hatch (3-2) had a season-high 12 strikeouts, one short of her career high of 13 set against Grant during her junior season and equaling her season total from the her first six appearances.
"It gave us more confidence in the field because she kept striking people out," said senior Sydney Littles.
Littles led the team with a 3-for-3 game at the plate and four runs scored.
"It was a good game and we kept the momentum up hitting," said Littles. "We should keep the momentum the rest of the season."
St. Francis (11-6, 5-3 Delta) scored nine runs in the first inning to support Hatch. The first five batters reached base with nine hits highlighted by a bases loaded double by Sage Davis.
"Our momentum from striking out a lot of batters came into our hitting and helped push us," said Hatch."
The Troubadours added four in the third with Chloe Smith, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, providing a run-scoring double.
All 10 players who batted had hits in the game as SF recorded 17 on the night. Amy Abueg, Grace Jenkins and Davis each had two hits in the contest.
"Having this win behind is going to fuel us against Franklin," said Hatch. "It will be nice to take a moment to rest with Spring Break."
After the Easter weekend, St. Francis returns to play at Franklin on Wednesday before taking a trip to Tracy for the NorCal Classic.
