-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Faith Shibroun of St. Edmond hits a home run against South Hardin on Thursday at Rogers Park

The St. Edmond softball team served some early season notice here Thursday night at Rogers Park.

Faith Shirbroun hit two homers that easily cleared the outfield fence and the sixth-ranked (Class 1A) Gaels recorded seven more extra-base hits in an 8-1 victory over No. 8 (2A) South Hardin.

Senior Kaili Henning was provided all the run support she would need, allowing just two hits while striking out 11 with a pair of walks.

“That was fun,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “Even the girls after the game were saying the same. We knew this was a good test here early in the season against a quality Top-10 team and we wanted to showcase what we are capable of.”

After a leadoff triple for Shirbroun, the sophomore was caught looking at a close pitch in the second. She more than made up for that in the fifth and sixth innings, rocking a two-run shot to the centerfield bleacher before clearing the left field fence with a three-run blast on a 3-2 pitch.

Just prior to the second homer, her father called time to remind his daughter one simple lesson.

“Focus,” Shirbroun said. “I just told her to focus. She’s been working with mom (Darcie Shirbroun) the past couple of days with her hitting. You can definitely tell what they have been doing is paying off.”

Mariah Myers, the University of Iowa commit, was 3-for-4 like Shirbroun with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. Eighth-grader Toryn Helle had a triple and two doubles, driving in a pair while junior Lauren Gibb added two hits, a run, an RBI and a steal.

The first four hitters in the Gael lineup went a combined 11-for-16 with two homers, two triples and five doubles while driving in seven runs.

Henning, meanwhile, struck out seven through the first four innings, working around a walk and the only two hits she allowed in the third.

“Kaili is just really locked in,” Shirbroun said. “She’s been locating her pitches and our defense has been strong behind her.”

Ansley Oswald added two hits and both Henning and Hadley Oswald had one.

St. Edmond returns to the diamond here on Friday night when they host Iowa Falls-Alden.

ST. EDMOND 8, SOUTH HARDIN 1

South Hardin 001 000 0 — 1 2 2

St. Edmond 200 042 x — 8 14 1

WP–Kaili Henning (3-0, 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 2 BB). LP–Hailey Rosonke (5-3, 6 IP, 15 H, 7 ER, 1 K, 0 BB).

HR–SE: Faith Shirbroun (2). 3B–SE: Faith Shirbroun, Toryn Helle. 2B–SH: Charlee Rosonke; SE: Mariah Myers (2), Toryn Helle (2), Lauren Gibb. RBI–SH: Hailey Rosonke; SE: Faith Shirbroun (3), Mariah Myers, Toryn Helle (2), Lauren Gibb. SB–SE: Lauren Gibb. LOB–SH: 5; SE: 5.