When Saturday arrived at the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, the Whitehall softball team uncorked an offense that had been bubbling up all week.

That offense, which had gradually been improving every time out since they landed in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, erupted for 11 runs against Paramus High School, defeating the Spartans, 11-1.

Paramus, who made it to the the quarterfinal round of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 tournament last season, were handcuffed by pitcher Ashlee Brosky and dissected by the bats of Rachel Arner and Kay Solderitch who combined for five of the 13 hits banged out by Whitehall.

Head coach Alexis Berg-Townsend said she was really pleased with how they played since it was their first time outside seeing live pitching. They had two scrimmages prior to their game on Saturday, and with each successive outing, she saw improvement every day.

“We hit a little better every day, and then on Saturday they just exploded,” said Berg-Townsend.

They had worked diligently on their fundamentals in the gym, and then applied that on the field at the Cal Ripken complex. After their first scrimmage, it was a matter of making adjustments, said Berg-Townsend.

“We needed to make the transition from working in the gym to live pitching and live hitting, and on Saturday it all came together,” she said.

The Zephs got on the board first when Solderitch led off the game with a double. Arner bunted, advancing Solderitch. She was eventually brought home on a Mackenzie Guzy sacrifice fly.

In the fourth, they opened up the game with six runs, effectively taking control of the game. They didn’t worry about a comeback since Brosky was in command. Berg-Townsend said the senior was “throwing off the batters by hitting her spots.”

Broskee pitched a complete game for the victory, allowing just three hits over seven innings.

“She had good control and relied on good placement of her pitches, both inside and outside,” said Berg-Townsend.

Arner’s day also included two RBIs, two runs scored and three stolen bases. Berg-Townsend said that Arner is becoming more adept at becoming a triple threat in the batter’s box. That arsenal includes drag bunting, slash hitting, and hitting away. Berg-Townsend said it keeps the defense honest who would otherwise crowd her because of her bunting skills.

Solderitch’s day included a double, triple, a walk, a stolen base, and three runs scored.

With only three players remaining in their spots from last year (Arner, Guzy and Cara Bonshak), Berg-Townsend said it was a good way to see all their varsity players in action.

As the Zephs prepare for their Eastern Pennsylvania Conference schedule this week, Berg-Townsend is encouraging her players to “embrace the challenge.” Whether they’re the favorites or underdogs in any given game, she wants them to always embrace the challenge.

They open up their EPC season March 31 (weather permitting) on the road against Allentown Central Catholic.