Photo by Rick Thompson: An overhead view of the St. Edmond softball team's game at Humboldt on Friday night.

HUMBOLDT — The bats came alive for the eighth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team here Friday night vs. Humboldt.

Toryn Helle blasted two home runs and Faith Shirbroun had one as the Gaels rolled to a 12-4 victory in their North Central Conference opener.

St. Edmond (5-0 overall, 1-0 in the league), the four-time defending NCC champions, put up four runs in both the first and second innings, including the first lon ball for Helle, who finished 2-for-3 with five RBI, two runs scored and a walk.

Shirbroun was 2-for-3 with three RBI, three runs scored and a walk. Sophia Schlienz had two hits and scored twice.

Jade Rock added a hit, an RBI and two walks. Ella Vandi contributed an RBI and a run.

Rihanna Myers scored three times.

Schlienz and Rock each stole two bases. The Gaels had nine walks as a squad.

“It was really great to see the girls attack at the plate,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “It’s early in the season, but it’s great to see the pop and the ball flying off the bat like that.”

Helle also earned the win inside the circle, striking out two with six hits and two earned runs allowed. The sophomore threw just 56 pitches, with 44 going for strikes. She did not walk a batter.

For the Wildcats (1-2, 0-1), Hayden Graaf drove in two, and Elyse Olson added an RBI. Humboldt answered the first big inning by the Gaels with three in the first.

Both Graaf and Olson had doubles.

St. Edmond has now won nine in a row over Humboldt. They return to action Monday at Iowa Falls-Alden, followed up a road trip to Gowrie to face Southeast Valley on Tuesday.

The Wildcats are at Webster City on Monday and host Charles City Tuesday.