As long as long-time head coach Linda Merrida is at the helm, it doesn’t matter what league the Pioneer High School varsity softball team plays its games in. The results remain the same, and they are more often than not wins.

The Patriots (6-2, 1-0 MEL) seem to have instantly settled into the more competitive Monticello Empire League thanks to a stress-free 20-0 win over the also new-to-the-league Sacramento High School Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s just business as usual this year,” Patriots head coach Linda Merrida said regarding the league change. “I have played every team on our schedule except for Sacramento and Rodriguez, so I know what the other teams are like. Games with those teams are always good competition, and that’s what we were seeking.”

The Patriots came into the league debut winners of three in a row and five out of their first seven games overall. Following a close two-run loss to Del Oro on March 4, the Patriots reeled off an 8-0 win over St. Francis on March 6, a 4-0 victory over Redwood and an 8-2 win over St. Helena during a tournament on March 8.

Their only two losses on the year were the aforementioned loss to Del Oro and a 5-4 loss to Inderkum in their season opener on Feb. 18. Other wins include a 6-2 win over Sheldon and a 4-1 win over old foes Davis High School.

“I like to play teams that are really fundamentally sound and have a winning record early on because it presents a challenge for us and makes us focus better,” Merrida said.

Leading the way for the Patriots at the plate this year has been star junior and Stanford University verbal commit, Marisa Bryson. Before Wednesday’s offensive outburst, Bryson led the team in hits (11), doubles (2), runs (10) and at-bats (24).

Senior mashers Sofia Hernandez, Jia Beebe and Ashley Gruben have also enjoyed a great start at the plate this year. Coming into Wednesday, Hernandez led the team in RBI (5) while collecting 9 hits and 7 runs. Gruben and junior Caitlin Mayfield have hit a home run while also picking up 4 RBI and 9 hits each.

Beebe had 10 hits for the team to go with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. She also leads the Patriots from the pitching circle with a 1.29 ERA, 29 strikeouts to only 11 walks, good for a 5-2 record.

While the offense had a collectively fantastic day at the plate Wednesday, Beebe had an equally impressive day from the circle, throwing a five-inning perfect game and striking out 13 of the 15 batters she faced.

The offense got off to an insane start, racking up 13 first-inning runs.

In the bottom of the second, a Hernandez double brought in a run to make it 14-0 right before a Gruben single knocked in Bryson to make it 15-0.

Hernandez finished the game with 2 runs and 2 hits and added to her team-high with 3 RBI, while Gruben finished with 3 RBI and 2 hits.

A few batters later, the Patriots loaded up the bases for junior Sophia O’Quelly. O’Quelly would then knock in Amy Bivert to make it 16-0. Both finished the game with 2 runs and 2 hits.

After another 1-2-3 inning from Beebe, Bryson came up to bat with Gracie McGinty on base and smashed the first of hopefully many home runs for the Patriots, making it 18-0 by the time both reached home.

Bryson finished the game with 4 runs, 2 hits and 2 RBI, while McGinty finished with a game-high 5 runs from the leadoff spot, to go with 3 hits and 1 RBI.

An RBI from Abril Parker before the inning ended made it 19-0. She’d finish the game with 4 RBI, 1 run and 2 hits.

The Patriots added 1 more run in the bottom of the fourth to go up 20-0 before Beebe came back out to complete her perfect game.

At the plate, Beebe contributed with 3 hits, 2 RBI and 1 run. Junior Kylie Cueva chipped in with 2 runs, 2 hits, and 1 RBI, while freshman Lizzy Vargas added 2 runs. Junior Sofia Castro had 1 run and 1 hit.

“We knew going into a game like this that they (Sacramento) could struggle,” Merrida confirmed. “But we still have to work on our execution. We know we aren’t going to get too much defense, but we still need to support each other.”

Up next for the Patriots will be the team’s first league road trip to Rodriguez High School (5-2) for a showdown set for this Friday at 4 p.m.

“I want us to continue with our strong pitching with Ashely and Jia,” Merrida said. “Our defense has also changed due to an injury to a starter and utility player, so we don’t have as much flexibility on the bench, which changes the whole dynamics of our defense. Our bench is strong, but it would be nice to get more people out there.”