Strong pitching and clutch hitting helped the South Whidbey High School softball team win 4-2 at La Conner Friday, March 23.

Falcon starter Mackenzee Collins fired a three-hitter, struck out 14 and walked none to lead the defensive effort. Her teammates proved steady support, committing only one error.

South Whidbey scored in the top of the first when Bekah Merrow and Melody Wilkie singled and Bella Northrup walked to load the bases. Collins’ ground out scored Merrow.

The Braves’ first two batters of the game collected two of their three hits in the contest, and the leadoff hitter came around to score on a ground out.

After those two hits, Collins retired 14 in a row (12 by strikeout) to give her offense time to take the lead.

South Whidbey tallied the go-ahead run in the fourth. Collins boarded on an error, moved to third on a single by Ari Marshall and scored on Mayh Majestic’s ground out.

The Falcons picked up two insurance runs in the seventh. Marshall singled, then Shelby Campbell singled for her first high school hit and RBI. Later in the inning Campbell stole home to make it 4-1.

La Conner (0-2) scored its last run in the bottom of the seventh with the help of its only other hit.

Marshall and Merrow finished with two hits to lead the Falcon offense.

South Whidbey, winners of three in a row after an opening loss, begins Cascade Conference play at Archbishop Murphy (2-2) at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 27.