Highlighted by a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning from star sophomore shortstop Marisa Bryson, the Pioneer High School varsity softball team continued their assault on the opposing teams as they advanced to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III quarterfinals courtesy of a 12-2 win over Del Campo Tuesday evening.

With the first round playoff win, the Patriots (21-5) have now won 12 straight games, with only one of them being particularly close, a 1-0 win over Dixon on April 17.

An insanely tough preseason schedule and competitive games against good teams to end the year have played a key role in sharpening the Patriots for the competitive teams that the playoffs bring.

“I think our preseason helped us be able to grind out the hits, like today with the three bunts in a row, and be confident that we can execute,” Patriots head coach Linda Merrida said. “Our baserunning is pretty good, and our defense is tough, although we made a few miscues today. Playing tough teams in the preseason brings us back to the reality that we need to make the fundamental plays.”

Pioneer cruised into the playoffs after a fantastic final season in the Golden Empire League winning a share of the league title alongside Dixon. For their troubles, they earned the No. 3 seed in the D3 bracket and an opportunity to host at least two home playoff games.

Del Campo (5-16) earned the No. 14 seed in the division after finishing fourth in the Capital Athletic League. They finished behind D3 No. 1 seed Capital Christian, No. 8 seed Christian Brothers and No. 10 seed Vista del Lago.

If the Cougars had any chance to advance against the Patriots, they needed to get off to a fast start. They happened to do just that, capitalizing on a couple of errors to score two runs in the top of the first inning.

However, Pioneer responded immediately, as great teams do, thanks to a triple from star junior Sofia Hernandez that scored the team’s lone senior, Briana Parker. Sophomore Caitlin Mayfield then singled to score Hernandez and tie it up at 2-2.

After a scoreless top of the second inning in which Patriots starter Jia Beebe began to deal despite the rough first inning, Pioneer went on to take the lead thanks to a sacrifice fly from sophomore Sophia O’Quelly that scored Abril Parker to make it 3-2.

Beebe went on to shut down the Cougars’ bats for the rest of the evening, pitching five innings, striking out 5 batters, and only allowing 3 hits and 3 walks.

Things remained calm until Pioneer’s 8-run offensive explosion in the bottom of the fourth inning that essentially put the game out of reach.

Sofia Castro led off the fun with a walk before two straight bunt singles from O’Quelly and Briana Parker loaded up the bases with no outs. Beebe beefed up her own run support as she drew a walk to bring home Castro, setting up the stage and batter’s box for Bryson.

Bryson, who admittedly didn’t have the best day at the plate, made the most of her fortuitous situation and blasted a shot to straight center field for a grand slam to make it 8-2. The hangtime allowed the Cougars center fielder to make it to the edge of the fence and attempt to make a play, but the ball was too far out of reach.

By the time the ball landed safely on the grass, Bryson was rounding second base on her way to get congratulated at home plate.

“It was pretty exciting,” Bryson said after the game. “I wasn’t doing as well as I could have in my first two at-bats so it was nice to battle back and get a good hit for our team.”

“She is really hard on herself, but she is the best shortstop we have in the league,” Merrida said. “She does it with her bat and her glove and with her legs. She is very athletic and has a great softball IQ.”

Mayfield and Hernandez ran back from their first inning situation as Mayfield’s double scored the latter for a second time to make it 9-2.

Mayfield eventually made her way around the base paths and scored on a passed ball, before McGinty scored a fielder’s choice to make it 11-2.

After another scoreless inning from Beebe, Pioneer had a chance to activate the 10-run mercy rule with just one more run.

Bryson stepped up to bat with a runner on third and sent a tame fly ball to right field. The Cougars, who had trouble all night with errors, made one more costly one as they could not make the catch, allowing Briana Parker, who was on third, to calmly scamper home for the winning run.

Bryson finished going 1-4 with the grand slam. Abril Parker and Mayfield led the way with 2 hits each while Briana Parker scored a game-high 3 runs.

“On a day like this due to the nature of the playoffs, we need to focus on the next game so we can keep everyone fresh,” Merrida said. “Most teams will either have a close game or enact the 10-run rule so it was nice to have that today.”

Next for the Patriots will be another home playoff game where they will take on D3 No. 6 seed Manteca, who defeated No. 11 seed West Park 2-1 Tuesday. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Pioneer High School.

“I think we need to focus more,” Bryson said. “I think we might have had some butterflies today, but I think if we focus and play our game, we will be okay. We might have underestimated Del Campo there a little bit. I’m excited to play Manteca. It will probably be a low-scoring game, so we will have to play our best.”

“Last year we were in the same boat we are now where we won the first game but then we lost the second game,” Merrida recalled. “We need to get back to practice tomorrow (Wednesday) and just clean up the things we need to work on. Little fundamental things that we didn’t do as well today. They can address it, and they will overcome.”