SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, senior Amy Marks pitched a complete game and knocked in two runs to help St. Francis upset Pleasant Grove Wednesday 5-2.

“It was a nerve-wracking game because we have to win every game to make to the playoffs,” said Marks. “PG is always one of our biggest games and the last time we beat them was my sophomore year. We were just trying to win every inning. I was really proud of our team. Every time they scored we got them back with one or more.”

St. Francis (12-10-1, 4-4 DRL) entered the game needing to win their last three games over Pleasant Grove, Sheldon and Oak Ridge. The Troubadours lost 9-0 to Pleasant Grove in the first meeting between the schools.

“Amy battled like a warrior tonight,” said Co-Head Coach Kevin Warren. “She kept us in the playoff hunt.”

Marks, who went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI, got the Troubies on the board in the second. After leadoff single, she advanced to second on an error and moved to third on a sacrifice by Emily Ainsley.  She scored on a ground out by Mel Baccay.

“It is so helpful mentally,” said Marks. “The game is all mental so when you get a lead and you jump on top, it not only helps me in the circle but helps the team as a rally so they are confident. Getting an early lead was really good.”

Shelby Tevis, Rhyann O’Mara and Alejandra Garcia had back-to-back-back singles in the third. After a walk to Marks scored Tevis, Alexis Viramontes singled to score Garcia to extend the lead to 3-0.

Pleasant Grove scored in the fourth but St. Francis added single runs in the fifth and sixth to lead 5-2 heading into the final inning. Marks had an RBI single in the fifth and Bailey Boone had a run-scoring single in the sixth. Marks allowed a pair of singles in the seventh but closed the game without any damage.

“I really like having the last three at home,” said Marks. “We definitely do better at home.”

St. Francis hosts first-place Sheldon on Thursday at 4 p.m.