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MONMOUTH — The Monmouth Academy softball team earned a long-awaited win on Monday afternoon.

Senior pitcher Shannah Parsons struck out 11 to lift the Mustangs to a 4-0 win over Mountain Valley Conference rival and four-time defending Class C championship Hall-Dale.

“It’s been six or seven years (since the last win over Hall-Dale), it’s been a long time,” Monmouth Academy coach Dave Kaplan said after his team improved to 13-0.

Added Parsons: “It was a long time coming, and I think we were all motivated for this one. It showed in the game.”

Parsons, a lefthander, decked out in silver sunglasses under her fielding mask, allowed just two hits, walked one and hit a batter in seven innings.

Parsons also had one of Monmouth’s three hits, an RBI double down the left-field line in the sixth inning, which scored Rileigh Chase and gave the Mustangs a 4-0 lead.

Senior Lucy Gray led the Bulldogs (11-2) in the circle, allowing three hits while striking out four batters. She walked three. Gray also went 1 for 3 at the plate. Senior shortstop Torie Tibbetts had Hall-Dale’s other hit.

How did they get there?

• Situational success, especially on offense. The Mustangs were able to take care of an abnormal day in the field from the Bulldogs, who made three errors and had two passed balls.

“If you help a better team, if you give them more at-bats and make mistakes, they’re going to take advantage of it, and (Monmouth Academy) did,” Hall-Dale coach Steve Acedo said. “We still only gave up four runs and (we) gave up three hits. You’ve got to do the math in there somewhere. That’s the biggest disappointment for me, out of the game, is I don’t think we came ready to play. I don’t think the enthusiasm was there today.”

• The Mustangs took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Parsons led off the inning by reaching base on an error before being replaced by courtesy runner Olivia Kilton, who reached third base on a wild pitch. One batter later, Evelyn Pettingill punched an RBI single to right field.

Monmouth Academy scored its next two runs — by Lila Poussard in the second inning and Riley Smith in the fourth inning — on passed balls.

• Parsons kept Hall-Dale hitters off balance throughout the afternoon, particularly right-handed hitters, by hitting the outside corner of the plate.

“I was just focused on Lilly (Palleschi), my catcher, and I knew my team would have my back behind me,” Parsons said. “That’s definitely what helped me through the game.”

Added Kaplan: “(Parsons) did well, she hit her spots. And the defense came to play.”

What does this mean?

• With the win, Monmouth Academy holds a firm lead of the Class C South standings.

“Our camaraderie (is key), we’re super-bonded,” Parsons said. “This is the most bonded team I’ve ever been on. That’s going to help us through the season.”

• It does not, however, mean that the Mustangs are done with Hall-Dale. The teams are likely to meet in the MVC championship game at the end of the regular season, and the rivals are the current favorites to reach the regional final.

Statistical leaders

• Monmouth Academy: Shannah Parsons (7 IP, 11 Ks, 2 H; 1 for 3, 2B, RBI), Evelyn Pettingill (1 for 2, RBI), Riley Smith (1 for 3, RBI)

• Hall-Dale: Lucy Gray (6 IP, 3 H, 4 Ks; 1 for 3), Torie Tibbetts (1 for 3)

Up next

• Monmouth Academy: at Spruce Mountain at 4 p.m. on Wednesday

• Hall-Dale: at Lisbon at 4 p.m. on Friday