The Ballard High School softball team almost didn't need to swing a bat to earn its first win of the season in a 7-4 April 8 game against Garfield.

The team scored seven runs but only had two RBIs, both by Amry Kimmerly. The rest came on an errant pitch and four bases-loaded walks – three in the fifth inning. Take away the RBIs and that still equals a Beaver victory.

"We had a big inning where we were patient at the plate and took some walks and had timely hitting," coach Kyle Gray said.

It wasn't all walks for Ballard. Bernie Cardon, Katie Seibel, Elisa Vatn and Karissa Marshall each added hits for the Beavers.

Catcher Cardon threw out three runners, including one trying to steal third in the fourth inning that was the play of the game, Gray said.

Pitcher Sophie Overlock-Pauley, who doubled and walked in a run on offense, pitched all seven innings, throwing nine strikeouts and giving up six hits.

Gray said it was easily her best game of the season.

"Overall it was nice to get a win," Gray said. "We are trying to get these girls to play with confidence because they are very talented, and tonight they took a step in that direction."

Ballard (1-3 overall, 1-2 conference) plays Lake Washington at 4 p.m., April 13 at Lower Woodland.