Scituate second baseman Emma Hackett is unable to tag out Davies’ Mariana Giraldo as Giraldo steals second yesterday. For more photos, go to: hsgametime.com/rhodeisland

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

SCITUATE — The Audet sisters, Kristen and Shannon, combined to throw a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts to help lead Scituate (4-1) to a 7-4 triumph over Davies (4-2) in an early battle for Division III supremacy.

“Our pitchers are doing an excellent job,” Scituate coach Abbie Groves said. “They have done an amazing job all season along with our catchers (Ashley Cinquegrana and Alyssa Bostrom). They’ve been working together in the offseason which helps out a lot.”

Kristen, a junior, threw four strong innings. She struck out six batters and allowed only two hits and two runs against the Patriots, who entered yesterday’s game averaging 12 runs per game.

Shannon, a sophomore, closed the door on Davies by striking out five batters and allowing two hits and two runs in the final three innings.

Davies coach Joseph Wilson said that the Patriots played their best game of the season in the loss.

“This is the best game they’ve played all season,” Wilson said. “We have a very young team. We are just trying to build up their confidence and the more we keep telling them that they can play with the best of them, the better they are going to be. Today was by far the best game they played. Even though they lost, they still played an excellent game.”

Kristen Brunelle blasted a two-run, inside-the-park home run in the top of the first inning to give Davies a 2-0 lead.

But after Scituate leadoff hitter Emma Hackett tripled and then scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the first inning, smart base running and poor Davies fielding decisions in the bottom of the second inning allowed Scituate to take a 3-2 lead on two, two-out unearned runs.

In the momentum-shifting second inning, Scituate loaded the bases with two outs on three straight fielding errors by Davies. Hackett then scored on a wild pitch, and Victoria Ramos and Kristen Audet advanced to third and second base, respectively.

After Kailyn Audet walked, Cinquegrana hit a ground ball to third base and the Davies third baseman threw to home plate late instead of stepping on third base for the force-out, , allowing Ramos to score.

“We gave up some runs on errors but overall I think we did OK,” Wilson said. “Scituate is a strong team but overall I think Davies did all right.”

Davies starting pitcher Jennifer March allowed only one hit and one earned run in the three innings she pitched against a Scituate squad that is averaging 11 runs per game. She had to leave the game with a knee injury prior to the fourth inning. “Jen March was in there firing the ball,” Wilson said. “She has a hurt knee and she went as long as she could for us. The key to this team is how far Jen can bring us. We’re a very young team, but overall we’re improving.”

Davies pitcher Brittany Salzillo, a freshman, began the game strong before Scituate caught up to her in the fifth inning when the Spartans opened up the game by scoring four runs.

The Patriots never recovered.

Scituate lost to Tolman in the Division III state championship game last season, but did not graduate a single player.

“They key to our success so far is that they are working together as a team,” Groves said. “They’re coming alive when they are warming up and they are ready for the game itself. That’s been a lot of help, and a lot of them did a lot of individual work in the offseason and that has helped them this year. They are 10 times better at this point in the season than they were last year. It’s been amazing. They are coming together very nicely this year.”

Davies only has one senior on its roster. Wilson said that the young Patriots are improving every game and so far, he likes what he sees.

Davies

200 001 1 – 4 4 6

Scituate

120 040 x – 7 3 2

Kristen Audet, Shannon Audet (5) and Ashley Cinquegrana; Jennifer March, Brittany Salzillo (4) and Shannon BettencourtDivision III Softball

Scituate

7

Davies

4

roblee@projo.com