HELENA — That is more like it.

Butte High picked up its first varsity softball victory of the season Saturday, and the Bulldogs wasted little time in doing so.

The Bulldogs scored seven runs in the top of the first inning, and Butte High rolled to an 11-1 victory over homestanding Helena High in a windy-and-cold Western AA game. The contest was called after five innings by the 10-run rule. (Boxscore)

The victory evens Butte’s conference record at 1-1. Butte High is 1-5 overall.

“Like I said, they’re coming,” Butte High coach Ryan Stosich said. “Each day they’re getting better. They just have to believe in each other. I knew those first five or six games were going to be tough. We’ve got to just keep grinding.”

Senior catcher Jordyn Bolton blasted her first home run of the season, and freshman Ashlinn Mullaney had a big game pitching at the plate to lead the Bulldogs.

Mullaney went 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs. She also pitched the distance, striking out four and scattering three hits for the win. Mullaney did not walk a batter.

Kodie Hoagland hit a double and a single while driving in two runs. Bryn Godbout, Joscelyn Cleveland and Kamber Leary joined Bolton with a two-hit game. Leary drove in three runs.

Stosich said the early offense took the pressure off Mullaney. That offense started with Hoagland.

“Kodie got us going,” he said. “That leadoff spot is so important, and she does a great job at it.”

Ryan Ferriter singled, and Dacelyn Lafond, Cami Kautzman and Brityn Stewart scored runs. Every Bulldog who got in the game contributed with a hit or run.

Kylee Wetzel, Brooke Richardson and Audrie Aakre singled to lead the Bengals. Aakre drove in Helen’s lone run.

Stosich said he expects the Bulldogs to build on Saturday’s victory.

“The only way to go was up,” he said, “and I think we’re going to keep climbing.”

Butte High is on the road next week playing at Missoula Big Sky and Missoula Hellgate on Thursday and Saturday.