**St. Paul pitcher Kat Serna (99) makes a pitch in their non-league softball game against Norwalk at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)**

SANTA FE SPRINGS – In the first home game in girls’ softball program history of St. Paul High School, the Swordsmen defeated Norwalk, 10-0, in six innings Thursday, March 25 in a non-league game.

In addition, to add to the celebration, senior Kat Serna pitched a one-hitter, retired 18 of 19 batters, struck out 11 and was backed up by seven hits and two big run-scoring innings.

Five runs in the first and four in the sixth led St. Paul (4-0) to its first win on campus after a five-year path to that joyous afternoon.

“The team has been looking forward to this game for the past month,” St. Paul Softball coach Charles Gandara said. “And, to be honest, this whole thing still feels so surreal.”

In 2016, parent volunteers helped develop a practice field and three years later Gandara began raising money with several donors to get the field ready for the 2021 season.

“We appreciate everything that Gandara has done for us and our program,” senior shortstop Jayne Sepulveda said. “He truly loves us and our program and we are grateful for what he has provided us.”

For all 44 years of program existence, the team even had to practice off site.

“It’s pretty much always been the norm for the softball teams of the past to load up the coach’s truck after school with all of the practice gear and drive to a nearby city park for daily practice,” Gandara added.

Serna, who is in her last year at St. Paul, was beyond excited for the first home game.

“I feel good,” Serna said. “We’re all about the hype and energy. We’re all proud to play our first game here at St. Paul ever. We’re so hyped.”

Serna also remembered the early days. “We used the field for practice and we would stick an L-screen behind home plate to be used as our backstop,” recalls Serna. “It really didn’t do much to stop the balls from flying all over the place.”

St. Paul's Hannah Moreno (77) is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run in their non-league softball game against Norwalk at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

St. Paul opens game with five runs

Serna started strong as she struck out the first three Norwalk batters to start the game.

The offense took over from there in the bottom half of the inning with five runs, which was highlighted by a two-run home run by freshman right fielder Hannah Moreno (1 for 2, 2 R, 3 RBIs, HR), scoring senior first baseman Nadine Marquez (1 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBIs).

Following the home run, sophomore center fielder Tiffany Cuevas (1 for 1, R, 2 RBIs) singled in Sepulveda (1 for 3, R) and designated hitter Jordin King for the 4-0 lead.

Sophomore outfielder Gaby Gandara (1 for 2, R, RBI) singled in senior third baseman Destiny Salamanca for the fifth run.

After a leadoff single in the second inning by Norwalk third baseman Cerise Cervantes, Serna retired the final 15 Lancers batters.

St. Paul added a solo run in the third on a single to right field by sophomore catcher Julissa Detrinidad (1 for 3, RBI), scoring Moreno for the 6-0 lead.

The Lady Swordsmen ended the game with the 10-run rule, scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth, on a two-run single by Marquez, run-scoring single by sophomore second baseman Madison Gasca-Reyes (1 for 1, R, RBI) and a game-ending, run-scoring ground out by Moreno for her third RBI of the game.

Norwalk coach, David Gonzalez, who will also see his team debut a new field next season, said of his team. “I think we allowed early strikes to go past too often,” he said. “I would like to see us much more aggressive early in counts.

“With this group of girls, I can’t wait, how talented they are, they are only going to get better. They are so young now and eight months from now, we’re going to have a new field and with this group a little bit older, I cannot wait.”

St. Paul will play a game in the Savana Showcase at home today (April 2) against Hillcrest (3-1).

**Norwalk pitcher Jaclyn Banda (16) fields a bunt and throws out the runner in their non-league softball game at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)**

What they said

Kat Serna, St. Paul senior pitcher: “It’s special, because it’s my last, first game here at St. Paul. I was ready. I was definitely ready and ready to pitch out for my team today, and just ball out.”

Jayne Sepulveda, St. Paul senior shortstop: “I think today was very special and I’m glad I got to share it with the girls on the field. It was our first game at home at St. Paul. It was super important and special and I’m so happy that everyone came out.

We never really had a place to call home before, so having this clubhouse means a lot and I feel so appreciated here.

We’re off to a great start to the season.”

David Gonzalez, Norwalk coach: “I’m super excited of what I’ve seen out there. We have a very young team. About seven of our starters are freshmen or sophomores. So, I see a lot of promise. The girls didn’t show fear with a team like that with all of those athletes across the field. That can be intimidating. The girls came out here and played.”

Brianna Perez, Norwalk first baseman: “Our game was pretty good. We kind of started competing and they are much higher (than us). I think we did pretty good and stayed in the game as much as we could. We never gave up, even though we weren’t that good with our sticks, we all tried.”

Jailynn Banda, Norwalk pitcher, centerfielder: “I think we did pretty good, since they are rated higher than us. I think we fought through all of it.

“At first I was a little nervous, because I’m a freshman and they are all seniors and juniors. But, after I got in I felt confidant. For my second game, I felt that I did pretty good.”

St. Paul debuts new softball field with historic win

St. Paul opens game with five runs

What they said