SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Megan Garren allowed just four hits over seven innings but Ponderosa squeaked out a 1-0 victory over St. Francis in the Delta River League opener Thursday for the Troubadours.

“She re-directed herself last week and decided it was time to step up,” said Co-Head Coach Al LoGiudice of the effort by Garren. “Today was a prime example. She was keeping the ball low. She pitched an awesome game and did a fantastic job.”

The Bruins scored the only run of the game in the third. Rachel Timberman singled with two outs and stole second. Taylor Doane singled to left field to score Timberman.

Terra Jerpbak held the Troubadours in the check all game, allowing just two hits over seven innings with five strikeouts.

St. Francis (5-3) had two scoring chances in the game. In the bottom of the third, Mel Baccay tripled with two outs but Jerpbak got Rhyann O’Mara to ground out to end the inning. In the sixth inning, O’Mara singled with two outs. Senior shortstop Alejandra Garcia walked to put the tying run at second. Senior first baseman Amy Marks then grounded out.

“Our defense was spot on but we are allowing too many pitches go by and we are thinking too much at the plate,” said Bacccay, who finished 1-for-3 in the game. “We have to come out attacking the ball.”

The Troubadours went 1-2-3 in the seventh to end the game.

Garren (2-2) took the loss despite allowing just four hits and one walk with one strikeout over seven innings.

“Megan was getting a lot of outs and only had one walk,” said Baccay. “She was helping us out. We just need to help her out on offense.”

St. Francis was scheduled to play Christian Brothers on Saturday but the game has been postponed due to expected rain in the area on Saturday.

“We have to prepare better for next week,” said Baccay. ‘We still want to have fun but we need to be more serious.”

The Troubadours return to the field next Tuesday, April 1 at Folsom and host Pleasant Grove on Wednesday, April 2. Both games start at 4 p.m.

Jerpbak and Greene. Garren and O’Mara. P – Timberman 2×3, 2B; Taylor 1×3 2B. SF – Baccay 1×3, 3B; O’Mara 1×3.