Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond’s Toryn Helle delivers a pitch on Wednesday at Rogers Park against Humboldt. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Playing Humboldt for the second time in five days, the fifth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team scored a decisive 11-1 win in four here on Wednesday night at Rogers Park.

After spotting the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the first, the Gaels (16-3 overall, 8-1 in the North Central Conference) answered back with six, highlighted by a three-run homer from freshman Rihanna Myers — her second of the season.

St. Edmond has now won 10 straight vs. the Wildcats (5-10, 2-6), outscoring over that time, 97-25.

“That one felt good to get,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “They played us close (at the Van Meter Tournament) this past weekend, but our girls came out focused and really locked in.

“Toryn (Helle) pitched a great game, the defense was strong behind her, and the bats came alive.”

Faith Shirbroun, the lone senior on the team for the Gaels, was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and a walk, Myers finished with three RBI and two runs scored with a pair of steals, Ella Vandi was 2-for-2 with three steals, two runs scored and two RBI, and Sophia Schlienz collected two hits.

Inside the circle, Helle struck out four with five hits allowed and just the one earned run.

“I thought we did a great job of attacking at the plate,” Shirbroun said. “We also made some really heads-up plays in the field. Playing a team twice that close you never know what to expect, but we handled it well.”

For the Wildcats, Claire Dieleman scored a run and had a double. Hayden Graaf also recorded a double at the plate.

St. Edmond took advantage of three walked batters in the first, as Myers hit her crushing three-run homer while Schlienz had both of her hits as the Gaels sent 11 to the plate.

“When you have an inning like that, you put a lot of pressure on the opponent,” Shirbroun said. “We had another big inning in the fourth, with so many girls contributing.”

Schlienz, Helle and Myrah Lemon each drove in a run, as Lemon and Shirbroun both added a steal.

In 10 games vs. Humboldt in her career, Shirbroun has recorded two homers, driven in seven runs, collected 14 hits and scored 20 runs. Schlienz has seven hits, seven runs scored and five steals in five games while Helle has two homers, nine RBI and eight hits in five games.

Shirbroun has also positioned herself among the best hitters in St. Edmond softball history since 2008, as she is first in career runs scored (197), first in doubles (53) and first in total bases (359). She is also tied for the career lead in homers, second in RBI with 126 and second in walks with 70.

Her 191 career hits has her just three from passing Jaci Stumpf for second all-time behind Lauren Gibb.

The Gaels head to Central Springs on Thursday before taking on Urbandale and 11th-ranked (5A) Bettendorf on Friday at the Jack North Tournament hosted by Waukee Northwest. They place No. 6 (5A) Pleasant Valley and fourth-ranked (5A) Southeast Polk Saturday.

Humboldt hosts Forest City on Thursday.

ST. EDMOND 11, HUMBOLDT 1 (4 inn.)

Humboldt 100 0 — 1 5 2

St. Edmond 610 4 — 11 9 1

WP–Toryn Helle (14-2, 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 0 BB). LP–Hayden Graaf (1-2, ªIP, 4 H, 6 ER, 0 K, 4 BB).

HR–SE: Rihanna Myers. 3B–SE: Myrah Lemon. 2B–H: Claire Dieleman, Hayden Graaf. RBI–SE: Sophia Schlienz, Toryn Helle, Ella Vandi (2), Rihanna Myers (3), Myrah Lemon. SB–H: Gracie Lyon; SE: Ella Vandi (3), Myrah Lemon, Faith Shirbroun, Rihanna Myers (2).