Ashley Devincenzi (center) winds up for the Washougal High School girls softball team. The Panthers beat the Hockinson Hawks 11-2 Friday, at WHS. Dan Trujillo/Post Record

Sunlight brought softball fans in bunches to Washougal High School to watch the Panthers run the bases, hit, pitch, catch and field.

Friday's 11-2 victory over Hockinson felt like the first game of the season.

"It was good, and it was much needed," said catcher Jona Ensley, who doubled and drove in three runs in the game. "You could see a complete difference from playing on the road and then playing in front of our fans. And, it made a great difference in the way we played."

Rashell Hughes ignited the offense in the leadoff spot, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, and an RBI.

"That's the lead off [hitter's] job, to get on base," Hughes said. "Every game, I want to start out with a hit. That's the goal."

Ashley Devincenzi doubled and drove in a run to go along with seven solid innings pitched. Reva Smith went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Jessica Zabel and Chantel McLaughlin added run-scoring base hits.

"Obviously, it shows that playing at home is a big advantage," said coach Heather Santos. "We were excited about the crowd that we had. It was a big momentum game for us. Anytime you score six runs to start a game, you feel real confident."

Read the rest of the story in the May 6 issue of the Post-Record