PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Phoenix Christian ended Tuesday night early with a mercy-rule win against Glendale Prep.

In what was a dominant season opener, the Cougars took just five innings to defeat the Griffins 11-1 at home. A well-balanced offensive attack and exceptional defense proved key for Phoenix Christian.

Sophomore Trinity Varner did both, as she tossed two perfect innings from the circle when she wasn’t playing first base. On offense, Varner reached base in all three at-bats, including a three-run home run in the second to pile on Glendale Prep 8-1.

“I liked the ball, and was trying to hit it up high,” she said of her homer. “I actually got underneath it a lot. They ended up fumbling it in the outfield, and I was able to make it around.”

Varner felt confident on the mound as well, a lot of that confidence coming from being healthy after a taxing freshman season.

Senior Meiling Milgrim also excelled at the plate, reaching base in all four of her at-bats, driving in two runs.

She said of her productive night, “In practice, we’ve been seeing faster pitching than what was thrown at us today. I just made sure to keep my eye on it and that I would swing through, try not to be too late or too early.”

Milgrim also stole two bases, her share of the five total from the team. 

The Cougars’ lineup was electric in all five innings. Dynamic offense is a trait head coach Matt Haeger in the past has referred to as the team’s trademark. But the defense is what allowed them to dominate the Griffins.

Phoenix Christian’s fielders made no errors in the entirety of the game.

“We have not had many games with zero errors in the last few years,” said Haeger. “Our defense was great.”

“We’ve been doing really well in our defense as a whole, especially knowing where to go,” said Milgrim.

Throughout the game, she described herself as being very vocal when balls were put in play, directing her infield from behind the plate. 

Milgrim also praised the girls in the circle.

“Pitching was really on point today. I was really proud of that,” she said. 

Before Varner’s terrific outing, senior Grace Pendergast was perfect in the first inning with one strikeout. While the second got a little out of hand, she allowed just one run in the next two innings before Varner took over.

“Our pitching was spectacular,” said Haeger. “When the ball only leaves the infield once, you know your pitchers are doing a pretty good job.”

Haeger loved what he saw from the team on Tuesday, and is convinced any preseason jitters have left the players.

“The most experienced players are always the ones that tell me they’re nervous,” laughed Haeger. “We had a couple of girls who may have been a little wobbly, but that’ll get out of their system real quick.”

Phoenix Christian will be home for its next game March 10 against Scottsdale Christian.