The Northampton softball team moved to 3-0 on the season following a 16-0, three-inning, mercy rule win over Nazareth on Tuesday.

In the first inning, the K-Kids had scraped together five runs using 3 singles, 2 walks, and a pair of hit batters before sophomore Christina Rabenold came to the plate with the bases loaded and two out. The center fielder promptly lined a shot over the right-centerfield fence for a grand slam to put Northampton up 9-0.

It was the first varsity home run for Rabenold and the first grand slam she has hit at any level of organized softball.

Rabenold confidently stated, “I felt it off the bat. I knew it was gone. I wasn’t thinking about a home run, just wanted to get on base, get a hit and score some runs.”

The K-Kids tacked on five more runs in the second. Lily Stuhledreher, Ren Herschman, Kendyll Strohl, and Ryley Stanchock all had RBI singles in the inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, Taylor Sommer drove home Katelyn Stuhledreher and Devyn Demchak with a double to left to put the margin over 15 and end the game via the mercy rule.

Senior Kaela Edelman got the win in her varsity starting pitching assignment. Key to preserving her 3-innning shutout was stranding a Nazareth baserunner at third following a leadoff triple in the second inning. She struck out the next two batters and retired the last one on a tapper back to circle.

Edelman struck out a total of four, gave up two hits and walked none in her debut.

“I was nervous, but I knew that I had a good defense behind me,” she said. “So that brings my nerves down. And I know the girls all have my back in case I make an error or don’t do well.”

The lack of drama in the Nazareth game was in stark contrast to the K-Kids’ home opener against Bethlehem Catholic last Thursday. The Golden Hawks went up 6-0 in the second inning. Northampton battled back to win 7-6 powered by home runs by Kate Stuhldreher and Demchak.

Kaitlyn Renson got the win by tossing 5 plus shutout innings in relief.

Northampton is at Nazareth on Thursday and then they travel to Easton for a Saturday morning start. Their next home game is Monday when they host the Red Rovers. Easton is 1-1 on the season having beaten Becahi 8-0 and losing to Bangor 6-0.