The Johnston softball team has emerged as a Division II favorite early this spring season after beating Mt. Hope 11-0 in the opener then Toll Gate 2-0 on Monday afternoon to improve to 2-0.

Sophomore pitcher Haley Boudreau has been electric in the circle for the Panthers, racking up 28 strikeouts in 12 innings of work and allowing no earned runs on just three hits.

The Panthers clashed with the Titans in a pitchers’ duel on Monday, as Toll Gate’s Delaney Wilson was also stellar, allowing just one earned run when Kalyn Foster knocked in an RBI in the sixth inning. Johnston’s first run came in the third on a throwing error. Otherwise, the Panther bats were held in check by Wilson, who finished with 14 strikeouts of her own.

“It was a pitchers’ dual. We just couldn’t find the holes. We had some hits but couldn’t move the runners. (Boudreau’s) a very good pitcher,” said Toll Gate coach Shana Willis, who was happy with the team’s progress after dropping the opener to Westerly, 10-0. “It was much better and a great stepping stone here. We were down 1-0  to Westerly then made some errors. They had those first game jitters. Delaney pitched great today and if we can get the bats going then we’ll be heading in the right direction.”

Boudreau relied on her off-speed pitches to keep the Titan batters off-balance all night.

“My curveball was working well. I noticed that they could hit inside so I made sure to pitch outside and that helped me get through the game. It was a lot of pressure, but I feel that that makes me pitch better. The adrenaline helps me pitch faster,” Boudreau said.

Boudreau had a breakout season last spring for the Panthers and figures to be perhaps the division’s best arm. She is excited to build on last year’s performance and feels a bit more comfortable this season.

“I’m a lot more confident because I know that I won’t be as nervous. I experienced everything last year,” Boudreau said.

Bella Boudreau led the Panthers at the plate in the opener, knocking in three runs. Arianna Velasquez, Alexia DiLorenzo and Foster all recorded multiple RBI as well.

The Panthers have been trending in the right direction as a program over the past two seasons and are looking to take one more step toward winning a championship. With a roster that features quality pitching, fielding and hitting, Boudreau believes chemistry will be the final piece to the puzzle.

“We’ve been working together since sixth grade. We work well together, we communicate and I think we can make it far this year,” said Boudreau.

The Panthers next faced Barrington on Wednesday, but the results were not available at press time. Johnston will host Lincoln on Saturday morning. Toll Gate faced South Kingstown on Wednesday, but the results were not available at press time.