WAUKEE — The fifth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team served notice to the rest of the 1A field here Saturday at the Jack North Tournament hosted by Waukee Northwest.

The Gaels picked up a convincing 4-1 victory over No. 7 (5A) and perennial state contender Pleasant Valley.

Faith Shirbroun, Ella Vandi and Myrah Lemon each had two hits, as Vandi, Lemon, Toryn Helle and Liv Andrew all drove in a run.

Helle was excellent inside the circle, allowing just five hits to Pleasant Valley and one run in the seventh.

“It was one of the best games we have played this season,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “We didn’t commit an error, Toryn was incredible pitching and our offense came through with a big fourth.”

St. Edmond plated three runs in the fourth to break a scoreless tie, as Helle doubled in Shirbroun and Lemon had an RBI-double that scored Grace Schlegel. With the bases loaded, Andrew worked a walk to make it 3-0.

“We waited on the right pitch and drove it that inning,” Shirbroun said. “Both Toryn and Myrah had great at-bats, as did Liv to get on and bring in that third run. I think it gave us a lot of confidence playing with a three-run lead with the way Toryn was pitching and our defense was playing.

“But you still have to go out there and get outs, especially against a talented 5A team like Pleasant Valley. We did that, and we earned that win.”

Shirbroun stole two bases, as Vandi and Rihanna Myers each stole one.

Pleasant Valley came into the day averaging over six runs per game with wins over sixth-ranked (4A) North Scott, 10th-ranked (5A) Linn-Mar, No. 9 (5A) Muscatine and No. 9 (3A) Davenport Assumption.

The Gaels finished up the day with an 8-0 loss to No. 6 (5A) Southeast Polk in five innings. Sophia Schlienz, Helle and Myers each had a hit.

Up next for St. Edmond will be North Central Conference action on Monday at Hampton-Dumont/CAL. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.