NATCHEZ — A passed ball after a strikeout is usually highly annoying for a pitcher, but Trinity Episcopal’s Katie Steele used it to add one more strikeout to her day Saturday.

After striking out the side in the top of the fifth inning, a passed ball allowed Central Private’s third strikeout victim of the inning to reach base. But instead of getting flustered, Steele simply struck out the next batter, totaling four on the inning.

The game was called following Steele’s fourth strikeout due to the MAIS’s hour-and-a-half time limit, and Trinity secured itself a 10-2 win over the Lady Rebels. Steele was quick to credit her teammates for her strong outing, in which she limited Central Private to six hits.

“They did very well behind me,” Steele said. “It finally all came together on both offense and defense. I’m proud of everyone. It was a fun game to play.”

With a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the third, things clicked for the Trinity hitters, as they battled and scored six runs to give Steele a big cushion. Ashleigh Williams had the first big hit of the inning, driving in two runs on a standup double.

Randa Morace singled Williams in, and Christina Givens followed up several at-bats later on a single that scored Morace and Mallory Lancaster. Caitlyn Upton got the final run of the inning, scoring from third on a passed ball.

Trinity head coach Chris Hutchins said he was happy his players finally had a big inning after seeming to be on the verge of a breakthrough.

“They’ve been right there the last few games,” Hutchins said. “They played well and executed well, and coming into today, I felt like they’d play well, and they did. They’ve been working hard, and I’m proud of them. They’ve been so close the last few games.”

With an 8-2 lead to work with after the third inning, Steele said it was nice knowing she had such a cushion.

“It’s such a relief,” she said. “It gives me a little room to move. I’m happy the bats came alive today.”

The Lady Saints allowed one run in the top of the fourth on a fielder’s choice, but Trinity added two more runs in the bottom half of the frame. Amelia Conn and Mary Kate Huber both scored on throwing errors to give Trinity a 10-2 lead.

Trinity began the game down 1-0 in the top of the first, but a throwing error allowed Tali Beard to score from second in the bottom of the first. Trinity took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Morace scored on a passed ball.

When the game was over, Steele said it felt good to end the game on a four-strikeout inning.

“It’s an honor,” Steele said. “I don’t think I’ve ever done it before.”

But Hutchins wasn’t surprised by his pitcher’s performance, he said.

“She was outstanding, and she has been virtually every game for us,” Hutchins said. “Her taking on the role of senior leadership improves the play of the team.”

Trinity will head to Amite School Center Monday and then host Adams County Christian School Tuesday.