SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a single-elimination playoff game facing long odds in seeding, the No.12 seed St. Francis softball team upset No. 5 Vintage Wednesday night 5-2 to advance to the double-elimination bracket starting Friday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Bracket.

“I am extremely proud because it was a great win beating a higher seeded team that has played very well during the season,” said Head Coach Kevin Warren. “We came out and played our best game of the year.”

Junior Jada Kanemasu pitched a complete game, allowing two runs (one earned) over seven innings with two strikeouts and only one walk.

“We had a lot of confidence in Jada today,” said Mary Baccay. “She had a lot of confidence in her defense behind her.”

Kanemasu stranded seven runners as the Troubadour defense helped her close out innings with runners on base in six of the seven innings, turning a pair of double plays in the contest.

“Hannah (Willover) pulled me aside after one of the innings and told me to get in a zone,” said Kanemasu. “That is what I did and I got stronger as the game went on. I knew how much it meant to me and my teammates, especially the seniors. It could have been our last game.”

Junior Lauren Washburn knocked in the first of her two RBI in the first. She added a second run-scoring hit in the third to push the lead to 2-0. St. Francis scored three in the fourth to extend the lead to 5-0.

Freshman Chloe Smith started the inning with a triple and scored on a Gabriella Guerrera single. She advanced on an infield hit by Sydney Littles and Mel Baccay advanced the runners into scoring position. Mary Baccay then doubled to right field to score both.

“It was really nice to beat a team that was ranked higher than us,” said Mary Baccay, who finished 2 for 3 with two RBI.

“The team putting up the insurance runs helped me out emotionally on the mound,” said Kanemasu. “There is nothing better than to pitch knowing the defense has your back. It exactly what they did making key plays (behind me).”

The Cruushers scored one in the fourth to end the shutout and loaded the bases in the seventh. But Kanemasu and the Troubies shut down the rally. St. Francis advances to play No. 4 Del Campo, a first-round winner over Lodi, on Friday at 6 p.m. on Field 2.

“It is going to be a great game,” said Warren.” We should of beat them the first time and we let them get back in the game. We are a much different team now and I expect good things from us Friday.”