St. Aloysius is finding its stroke on offense at just the right time.

With key division games against West Lincoln and Bogue Chitto – the two teams that are leading the Lady Flashes in the playoff race – looming, the Lady Flashes are beginning to hit the softball like they are capable.

It couldn’t have been more evident than on Monday night when the Class 1A Lady Flashes (11-4) mercy-ruled Class 4A Ridgeland, 14-3, at Bazinsky Park.

&#8220It’s exciting. We beat them earlier in the year at the Pearl tournament 1-0. They are a good team,” said St. Al’s Mary Myers Franco, who hit a pair of doubles and had four RBIs.

St. Al blistered a pair of Ridgeland pitchers for 12 hits and scored at least three runs in every inning.

&#8220We’ve started hitting the ball really well,” said St. Al’s Sarah Kerut, who had four hits and also pitched brilliantly in relief. &#8220Hopefully, it can continue.”

Kerut went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. She also scored four runs from her leadoff spot. Sarah Franco had a pair of hits and scored four runs and Amy Beaugh hit an RBI double.

While the Lady Flashes’ offense excelled, the pitching shut down the Titans. Sarah Franco pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed one hit. She ran into trouble in the third inning after three walks and an error led to two Ridgeland runs. Kerut replaced Sarah Franco with one out and walked Crystal Dearman to load the bases.

Kerut then coaxed two easy flyouts to get out of the inning with the 7-3 lead intact.

Kerut struck out the final six batters and allowed one baserunner, who reached on an error.

Sarah Hodge pitched 1 1/3 innings to take the loss. She allowed seven runs over that span before giving way to Dearman.

The Lady Flashes scored four runs in the third and were leading 12-3 with two outs in the fourth when Mary Myers Franco drilled a shot down the left-field line to score two and provide the mercy-rule margin.