The Santa Rosa Junior College women’s softball team (16-4, 1-2) picked up their first league win of the season after defeating Modesto College 9-8 March 11.

“Coming off the Sierra games, we had to really buckle down and realize what we were capable of,” said sophomore Krissy Pardoski.

In a high-scoring affair, the Bear Cubs won in eight innings. SRJC’s Chauntel Cesna and Samantha Bardee had huge days at the plate, connecting on their first homeruns of the season to lead the Bear Cubs’ offense.

Cesna had three hits in four at-bats, scored three runs, hit a homerun and had three RBIs.

Bardee had three hits in five at-bats with her long ball and four RBIs. She came a double away from hitting for the cycle.

“It felt great after not hitting one this year until then,” Cesna said.

Bardee picked up the game-winning hit on a bloop single that dropped in to score Pardoski.

The Bear Cubs’ duo combined to drive in seven of the Bear Cubs’ nine runs of the day. The Bear Cubs hammered out 12 hits compared to only six for the Modesto team.

The Bear Cubs left seven runners on base, leaving scoring chances behind.

The Bear Cubs battered Modesto’s starter Amanda Deigan all game long, with 12 hits, two homeruns and nine runs.

Bear Cubs starter Megan Winters fired off her seventh complete game to pick up the victory. She carved up Modesto for 11 strikeouts. She now has 77 punchouts this year in 80 innings pitched.

One big key for the Bear Cubs was their ability to put the bat on the ball. SRJC struck out only one time during the game.

Modesto fought hard throughout the game, almost completing the comeback victory, even capturing the lead after a six-run fourth inning, before running out of steam.

The Bear Cubs look to improve on their record when they take on Sac City, which is 3-0 in conference play, Mar. 15 at home.