SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore shortstop Francesca Guerrera and senior pitcher Hope Jenkins each homered to propel St. Francis to a 5-0 win over River Valley in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II softball championship tournament.

 

The second-seeded Troubadours improve to 25-3 and advance to the section semifinal round. The seventh-seeded Falcons, runners-up of the Capital Valley Conference, end their 2022 season at 17-10-1.

 

Jenkins delivered a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts in the pitching circle while providing 2-for-3 offense at the plate. She launched her eighth homer of the year to put St. Francis on the board in the first inning, slamming a line drive that cleared the Delta League banner in straightaway center for the 1-0 lead. 

 

Guerrera's shot led off the Troubies' pivotal fourth inning. The third Guerrera to homer in a SFHS softball uniform turned on a belt-high pitch and sent the ball into a strong headwind, but clearing the left-field porch with plenty to spare. 

 

Guerrera's homer represented her first extra-base hit of the year and ignited a three-run rally for the Troubies in that fourth frame. Senior first baseman Kayla Garber followed two batters later with a double that hit off the senior class tribute banner in left center. A River Valley error helped Hailey Strange (running for Garber) come around for the third SF run, then senior right fielder Haley Kim drove a ground ball up the middle to bring in Kylee Garrett to bring the lead to 4-0.

 

St. Francis tacked one more tally to its run total in the sixth thanks to another senior. With two outs and following back-toback- singles from Olivia McFarland and Jazzy Basquez, Amy Abueg drilled a line drive that Falcon shortstop Emma Wolfgram nearly stole on a diving effort. The ball did not stay on Wolfgram's glove, and McFarland came home on the RBI single.

 

Friday's second home run marks the eighth combined homer for the Guerrera sisters. Dani Guerrera hit four home runs for St. Francis, all in her senior year last season. Gabbi, a 2019 Troubie grad, hit the long ball in each of her freshman and senior seasons.

 

The Troubies continue SJS tournament play against Delta League rival Elk Grove on Tuesday, May 24. The winner of that game advances to the title contest at Sacramento City College on Saturday. Admission will be free for Tuesday's semifinals, with no purchase necessary on the GoFan app.