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The Patriots improved to 5-0, while the Bulldogs dropped to 1-5.

Wootton has relied heavily on shutdown pitching and stingy defense this spring. Wednesday was no different.

Senior right-handed pitcher Andi Garnher struck out nine in a two-hitter. Garnher has only given up seven total hits, has struck out 45 batters and maintains a 0.00 earned-run average in five games.

She's been supported by a strong defense. Wootton boasts a .985 team fielding percentage. And that made a difference Wednesday, when Churchill committed three costly errors.

"We're in games because of our defense and pitching," Wootton coach Al Lightsey said. "I'd like to be hitting better. The girls need to be more confident. I'm extremely happy with where we are. But we can't get complacent."

The Patriots are batting .339 as a team. Still, they have outscored their opponents, 45-5, and tallied seven hits Wednesday.

Aside from a 1-0 win over Gaithersburg, Wootton hasn't really been tested yet. But after next week's spring break hiatus, the Patriots will face tough challenges against defending 4A state finalist Sherwood, defending Class 3A West Region champion Damascus, Richard Montgomery and Blair.

Lightsey expects his young charges to up the ante.

"We definitely play to the level of competition," he said. "We're going to have some tough games when we get back. I feel like we're relying on Andi too much. I'd like to start hitting better and not worry about that."

Wootton jumped out to a 3-0, first-inning lead Wednesday thanks to hits from Garnher, Megan Berman and Jennifer Purisch and a Churchill error. The Patriots added two more in the third when Rachel Laufer homered and Alex Shamburek singled, stole second and scored on another error. Berman scored an insurance run in the sixth.

Churchill managed to put one on the board in the bottom of the seventh when Trish Duvall doubled and crossed the plate on a well-played sacrifice bunt from Lauren Siudzinski.

"This was absolutely a good effort from my team, I'm proud of the girls," first-year Churchill coach Jamie Collins said. "We just need to cut down on our mistakes. We're a young team. And we've got to hit the ball a little more. Wootton capitalized on their hits."