The Pioneer High School varsity softball team remained in first place of the Monticello Empire League thanks to an emphatic 20-1 road win over Sacramento High School Friday evening.

The Patriots (12-4,7-1 MEL) bounced back from their first league loss of the season to Vanden by the score of 8-1 this past Wednesday with a five-inning mercy rule smashing of Sacramento.

Since they defeated Vacaville in a 5-2 thriller on March 28, the Patriots ripped off a pair of league wins over Wood by the score of 3-0 on April 2 and a 14-2 road win over River City on April 3.

During Friday’s game, the Patriots managed to score a massive 13 runs in the top of the first inning to ice the game right off the bat. They’d go on to pour on another 2 runs in the top of the second before a final 5 run outburst in the top of the fifth inning.

Star junior Marisa Bryson led the way at the plate with 2 huge home runs, culminating in 11 RBI, 4 hits and 3 runs scored. Senior Jia Beebe and junior Sofia Castro added 2 RBI each.

Senior Sofia Hernandez had a game-high 4 hits, to go with an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Junior Grace McGinty had a game-high 4 runs scored while freshman Lizzy Vargas scored 3 runs.

Beebe also had a fantastic night from the circle, pitching all five innings, striking out 8 batters, and only allowing 3 hits.

Up next for the Patriots will be a nice break from league play as they travel down Gibson Road on Tuesday evening to take on same-side-of-town rivals Woodland Christian. The first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.