The Washington softball team picked up its third conference Friday, defeating North Johnston 6-1 on the back of junior ace Haley Hutchins.

“They were a very good challenge tonight,” said manager Doug Whitehead. “Fundamentally, they were extremely sound. They’re a young team with a bunch of freshman. We hit the ball and made some good defensive plays.”

Both Hutchins and Panthers’ starter Emma Turner kept the ball low in the zone, allowed their defense to make plays and kept the scoreboard blank through the first two frames. The Pam Pack lineup, known for scoring runs early, was uncharacteristically silent.

The Pack broke through in the third inning after Chrissy McKissick walked on four pitches, and Hutchens rocketed a double to notch her team-high 11th RBI of the season.

An inning later, the offense returned to form with junior Haley Wright leading off with a hard-hit single. Senior Kaylee Jackson reached on an error a batter later. Junior Allison Brantley brought Wright home with a base knock, and the Pack maintained the momentum until another three runs crossed home plate.

Washington added another run to its already commanding lead in the fifth to put them up 6-0.

The only blemish on Hutchins night came in the sixth after North Johnston’s catcher, junior Kaylynn Batten crushed a homer to deep center.

Despite the shot of adrenaline to the Panthers’ psyche, Hutchins recovered the following inning and shut the door on the opposition’s night. She finished with seven strikeouts, and went 2-for-3 with a walk at the dish. Brantley also picked up two hits and two RBI.

With the win Hutchins improves her record to 7-1 with a 1.60 ERA.

Washington will try to pick up its eighth win when they hit the road to take on the North Pitt Panthers on Tuesday.