After falling in two close games on opening day, the Charles Henderson Lady Trojans softball team picked up the first win of the season, and the Trent Givens era, Friday afternoon.

Charles Henderson knocked off Gulf Shores 8-2 at the Patriot Classic at Sokal Park in Tuscaloosa.

The Lady Trojans got off to a hot start, sending the entire lineup to the plate in the top of the first, and plating six runs.

Givens, CHHS head coach, said that many of the hits were infield singles and showed the hustle of his players.

“They take pride in getting down the baseline,” Givens said. “We like to run the bases. A couple of those hits weren’t that solid, but they got the tail down the line and kept the rally going. As a coach, you love to see that because you can’t teach that. It must come from inside the players.”

The six runs would prove to be plenty as Samantha Yarbrough baffled Dolphin batters in the circle.

Yarbrough went four innings and did not surrender a hit. She struck out five, and gave up just one earned run.

At the plate, the Lady Trojans were led Tucker Earles.

Earles went 2-for-3 at the dish with a double, a single and two RBIs.

Earles also scored one run.

Yarbrough did her part with the bat as well. She went 1-for-2 and scored two runs.

Emma Kirkpatrick went 1-for-2 at the plate, and knocked in 2 RBIs.

While Givens is happy to get his first win as a head coach, he is quick to deflect credit.

“I use the same philosophy as Coach Irons (CHHS baseball coach),” Givens said. “He says all the time that ‘I’m not making throws, playing defense or swinging the bat.’ That is how I feel as well. It is not about me. I am just proud of each and every one of these girls, and happy to see them succeed. Today is the first step in journey.”

Charles Henderson will continue play in the Patriot Classic throughout the weekend before traveling to Dothan on Monday to battle 6A Northview.