St. Michael Lady Cardinals freshman southpaw pitching sensation Gabriella Simpson struckout 14 batters and threw a 7-0 shutout over Mogollen in an important 1A North Region softball game.

St. Michael improved its overall record to 13-4. The Lady Cardinals are 4-0 in region play and 5-0 in conference action.

St. Michael faces Window Rock Lady Scouts today in a freedom game doubleheader at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Fort Defiance.

St. Michael head coach Karen Tom said the Lady Cardinals game against Mogollon was a great pitcher's win.

"Gabriella (Simpson) did a great job moving the ball around and striking out batters," Tom said. "Defense was on point and did their job backing up their pitcher."

After a scoreless tie for two innings, St. Michael broke the ice with one run in the third inning. The Lady Cardinals added four runs in the fourth inning for a 5-0 lead.

St. Michael continued to score runs, tallying one run each in the fifth and sixth innings.

"Everyone was focused and kept the energy going," Tom stated. "It was a good turnout. I'm very proud of the way the team is coming together and stepping up to competition."

Brooke Valdez and Lauren Hancock were Mogollon's pitchers.

Santana Dalgai was St. Michael's leading batter with four hits. Dalgai had a single in the second and seventh innings. Dalgai recorded a double in the fourth and fifth innings.

With two hits apiece for St. Michael were Gabriella Simpson. Simpson had a single in the third inning and a two-bagger in the sixth inning. Natalia Goldtooth cracked a pair of singles, one in the fourth inning and in the sixth inning. Aurianna Quintana recorded a single in the third and fourth innings.