OKEMOS - After finishing 10-0 in the CAAC Red and 29-8 overall from a season ago, the St. Johns Redwings looked the part of a team due to repeat tops in the league when they out-slugged the senior-laden Lady Chiefs, 11-7, in Okemos.

The Lady Chiefs who finished 14-11 last season took an early, 3-2, lead only to see it wrecked by the top of the seventh. Down, 11-3, Okemos put on its rally cap but could not pull off the miracle.

17-year St. Johns head coach Barry Palmer spoke on how he helps his girls become so lethal at the plate.

"I'm basically telling them to stay off the high-pitch and wait for the right pitch for them," Palmer said after the impressive thumping.

"What I want them to do is just to adjust to what the umpire is calling."