By Don Ketchum

Home sweet home.

The Gators from Phoenix Xavier Prep were all smiles Tuesday night (March 6) as they won the first game on their new softball field 7-0 over Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor.

They did it behind a solid pitching performance from senior Natalie Both and the field’s first home run by junior center fielder Megan Ward.

Both gave up just four hits, none after the third inning, and struck out nine.

Ward hit a line drive over the left-field fence in the fourth inning to increase Xavier’s lead to 3-0.

Xavier finished it off with three runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to win its sixth game in as many tries this season. The first five came in last week’s Sunblast Tournament in Anthem, which the Gators won. Xavier hosts its own tournament at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix beginning Thursday (March 8) and continuing through Saturday (March 10).

“We played well up in that tournament and it kind of carried over,’’ Xavier coach Bobby Pena said. “I don’t think the girls were nervous (about making a good showing on the new field). If they were, I sure didn’t see it.’’

Sandra Day O’Connor (1-1) pitcher Nicole Aviles started strong, striking out four of the first seven batters she faced, but Xavier scored twice in the third and then got the home run from Ward in the fourth.

“Their pitcher got us the first time (through the lineup), but after that, we kind of settled in,’’ Pena said.

Ward was excited to hit the home run.

“It feels great,’’ she said. “I had a nice swing on it and the ball just jumped. I knew it (was gone) when I hit it.’’

Pena was encouraged by Both, his own pitcher.

“She did a good job. She hit her spots real well,’’ he said.

He also is encouraged by the fact that he has just two seniors on his squad, and hopes the Gators can continue to show improvement.