ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A strong start proved fruitful for the St. Clairsville softball team Thursday afternoon as the Red Devils bested Union Local for the second time in as many days, this time 8-2 at their North Market Street diamond.

While it wasn’t as dominating as Wednesday’s 15-4 triumph in Morristown, Coach Rob Gallentine’s unit still staged a solid performance, fueled by the consistent pitching of Jenna Jaskowiak.

The sophomore went the distance, striking out 10 and walking two in helping the Red Devils improve to 3-0.

“I thought she did a really good job,” said Gallentine, St. C.’s first-year skipper. “She puts in a lot of time and effort. Her velocity has improved from last year, as has the movement on her pitches. She’s worked really hard on that, and hard work pays off.”

Gallentine also had plenty of praise for the other part of the battery — Dekotah Namack.

“She’s doing a phenomenal job,” he said of the freshman. “She’s really improved in a short time from open gyms until now. That’s made a big difference, too. That was one of the big spots we had to fill heading into this season.”

Jaskowiak struck out three in the first, then already had a four-run cushion by the time she went to the circle in the second. She had a hand in that, scoring a run in an opening inning that saw the Red Devils send 10 batters to the plate.

Union Local starter Keira Gregor was only around for the first three batters. With runners at second and third, Jaskowiak sent a liner off her left ankle, leaving her dancing in serious pain. She left the field on her own power, but didn’t return.

Kaden Mercer replaced Gregor, but struggled with her control in working to five batters. In the process, the two runners that were already on scored. Two more followed. Taylor Powell relieved Mercer with two gone in the inning and finished the game, allowing six hits.

Despite the fluid dynamics of the first inning, Jets head coach Rich Mercer was happy with how his team settled down.

“You could’ve started to second guess things, but I didn’t see that,” he said. “I didn’t see us feeling sorry for ourselves. I didn’t see the not believing in ourselves. We came back and scored a run (Madi Sells RBI double) and held them. We came back and scored another run (Mercer solo shot to center) and held them.”

That’s true. But in the third, St. Clairsville, which visits Martins Ferry today, scored three more runs on two hits. After their first two batters walked, leadoff batter Taylor Gallentine delivered the big blow with a two-out single to left that plated the pair. Freshman Hannah Thoburn followed with a run-scoring double.

“What I really like is the fact we’re being productive in the order from top to bottom,” Coach Gallentine said. “We’re not just depending on a few to lead. That’s helping.

‘We really have a tough schedule ahead of us and we have to continue improving, that’s for sure.”

As for the Jets (1-3), who welcome Cambridge for a twinbill Saturday, Coach Mercer said his squad is continuing to find its groove.

“It’s a process right now,” he said. “We’re working through things to see what works best.

“We kept battling (Thursday) and they should be proud of that.”