Desert Ridge has discovered this season it can win games with its bats. That was the case again Monday afternoon as the Jaguars launched three homers in handing Hamilton its first loss of the season, 9-4, in a Division I matchup at Hamilton High.

Sydney Broderick, Bailey Klitzke and Allana Vela went yard as Desert Vista won for the 10th time in 11 games. The Jaguars opened the year winning the Lion Country Classic and have followed up with three wins among its first four power-ranking games. Hamilton, which dominated Highland, Liberty and Sunrise Mountain last week in its debut, dropped to 3-1. All the Huskies games so far are power-ranking contests. They travel to Bullhead City later this week (Thursday through Saturday) to play in Mohave's annual Tournament of Champions. Desert Ridge is averaging almost nine runs a game.

"We've been working hard on hitting," Desert Ridge coach Jennifer Broderick said. "We've relied a lot in the past on the short game. The girls are getting more confident hitting as we go."

Desert Ridge didn't wait long to put runs on the board. Four singles opened the game with freshman pitcher-outfielder Shaylee Ackerman delivering a bases-loaded, two-run single to touch off a five-run, first inning. 

Sydney Broderick made it five successive hits, but hers was a three-run bomb to left center off Hamilton starter Chey Noli to push the lead to 5-0 before an out was recorded.

Hamilton answered in the bottom of the first against Ackerman with two runs on three hits and an error. Desert Ridge got those right back in the top of the second on Bailey Klitzke's two-run shot off the centerfield scoreboard. That finished Noli and brought on junior Natalie Montgomery, who performed well in four-plus innings of relief. Montgomery allowed two runs -- one by Vela in the fifth. Desert Ridge's final run scored on Klitzke's third hit of the game in the sixth. Klitzke and Sydney Broderick had three RBI each. Ackerman finished with two RBI and walked in her other three plate appearances hitting in the cleanup spot.

Ackerman went the distance for Desert Ridge. She scattered 12 hits, walked five and struck out one. Ackerman was at her best, however, with runners on and adept at getting the third out of innings to skirt trouble. She was backed by solid defense -- particularly by third baseman Katie Reid and shortstop Alyssa Lyon. Hamilton actually outhit Desert Ridge, 12-11.

Hamilton coach Rocky Parra wasn't upset about the first loss as the Huskies kept pressure on Desert Ridge every inning. Hamilton's downfall was leaving 12 runners on base.

"I couldn't make them run after the game," Parra said. "They didn't do anything wrong. We hit the ball well. They made a couple nice plays. It was just one of those games where you hit the ball hard and things do against you."

Abby Andersen, Valerie Holguin, Ali Ashner and Taylor Gindlesperger each had two hits for Hamilton and Andersen led with two RBI.

Parra is confident Hamilton can bounce back in Bullhead City this week its first shot at an invitational. The Huskies can hit, have speed and a lot of left-handed hitting. He also has confidence in a deep pitching staff (four pitchers have pitched this season). Parra said his best did not pitch Monday -- Indiana transfer Madison Seigworth, a sophomore. 

Desert Ridge has one more game left before spring break takes hold in Gilbert. The Jaguars visit Desert Vista on Tuesday.