SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Shasta College softball team split a road doubleheader last week with American River, winning the first 10-3 before losing the nightcap 5-0 to suffer its first defeat of the season.

The Knights exploded for eight of their 10 runs in the first three innings and the No. 1-3 hitters in the lineup combined for 10 of their 13 total hits. Destinee Baird was 5 for 5 with three doubles, four RBIs and two runs, Marissa Hopkins was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs and Erica Parent was 3 for 4 with three runs. Lindsey Beck had a double and two RBIs and Kayla Gaw scored twice.

Reilly Rupert got the win in the circle, striking out four, walking five and allowing three runs on six hits in the complete game.

In the loss, Shasta outhit ARC 9-7 but all were singles and the Knights couldn't scrape across any runs. Beck was 3 for 3, Reese Bertain was 2 for 3 and Hopkins was 2 for 3. Carli Lewis took the loss, striking out five, walking three and allowing seven hits in six innings.

Shasta is 3-1 and hosts Mendocino on Monday for a makeup doubleheader from a rainout and plays four games this weekend against San Mateo and Reedley at San Mateo, and a doubleheader Sunday at Foothill College.