Friday, a pair of freshmen paced the Eagles at Belleville East.

Lexi Touchette blasted a three-run home run as part of a five RBI day and Mikaela Kossina pitched her way around a bumpy fourth to lead the Eagles to the 12-6 win.

We’re very young and there have been times already where it would be easy for a young team to give up, but they’ve come together quickly. Lexi, Mikaela ... really everybody who has played has contributed something. I’m proud of the way this group has been able to play together.”

Kossina gave up four runs to the Lancers in the fourth but — with the support of a solid defense behind her — scattered just three hits and two runs through the other six innings.

Touchette twice made East pay for its defensive miscues. Her two-out second-inning home run drove in three runs. Then a two out single drove in an additional run.

“I honestly was just thinking ‘hit it,’” Touchette said of her home run. “I want the right pitch but I’m not really looking to do anything other than hit it hard.

“I was a little nervous, but I try to just listen to my coaches and remember that I have good defense behind me,” said the freshman Kossina, who entered the game with a 3-1 record and 1.37 ERA