Shelby Thompson clubbed a three-run homer and pitchers McKenna Gregory and Victoria Mackey combined on a shutout as Benicia High’s softball team beat Del Oro, 6-0, in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs at the Sacramento Softball Complex on Friday night.

The top-seeded Lady Panthers (25-4) – the defending Division II champions –  scored twice in the bottom of the first inning against No. 9 seed Del Oro (17-11). Mallory Barnard led off with a hit and Katie Vretzos reached safely on a bunt. A hit by Gregory and a Del Oro error gave Benicia a quick 2-0 lead.

Thompson highlighted a four-run bottom of the second with her team-leading eighth homer of the season, a three-run shot that gave the Lady Panthers some breathing room.

Gregory and Mackey took it from there. Gregory pitched the first four innings and scattered three hits with no walks and a strikeout to earn the victory. Mackey allowed only two hits in three scoreless innings of relief to earn the save. Outfielder Alana Combes provided some defensive help when she made a great catch to rob a Golden Eagle player of a potential home run.

“We’re doing very well,” said manager Kristin Grubbs after her Lady Panthers remained unbeaten in the postseason.

Courtney Bowling went 2-for-3 and Vretzos scored twice for Benicia. Olivia DeJesu, Allie Bullock and Brianna Schlattman each had a hit.

It was the 12th straight victory for the Lady Panthers, who haven’t lost since falling at Pioneer, 12-9, back on April 8. Benicia has outscored its opponents 128-4 during the winning streak and outscored its two playoff opponents by a combined score of 17-1.

Benicia advanced to a winner’s bracket game against No. 5 seed Merced (22-6) on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Sacramento Softball Complex. Merced was a 6-3 winner over No. 4 seeded St. Mary’s (Stockton) on Friday.

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