The Spanish Springs softball team continued its recent run of dominating foes Thursday, defeating the Galena Grizzlies 9-0 in the first game of three-game High Desert League series between the two schools.

The Cougars scattered their nine runs throughout the game and Mallary Darby pitched a complete-game no-hit shutout to earn the Cougars their 10th straight conference victory.

“The first game of the series is always extremely important to us,” Cougars coach Jeff Davidson said. “It's always important to us to get the first win in any series. We always take it one game at a time.”

Spanish Springs (17-5, 10-0 HDL) scored one in the first and one in the second as well as one more in the third to take a 3-0 lead. Jaci Carlsen led off the third inning with a double. She stole third and scored on a groundout by Karlyn Jones.

Galena kept the SSHS crew scoreless in the top of the fourth but then faced a quick 1-2-3 frame in the bottom of the inning to head into the fifth still trailing 3-0.

“Their pitcher did a good job,” Davidson said. “She was moving the ball in and out and kept our hitters out of balance for quite awhile.”

Ashley Collier started off a string of fifth-inning runs for the Cougs with a single and a steal. Jen Martensen singled as well. They both scored on a base knock from Jones. Karley Hopkins singled and the Grizzlies' defense overthrew to first, allowing Jones to score and Hopkins to reach first. She scored on a sacrifice fly by Sydney Darby.

“She (Jones) came up huge today,” Davidson said. “She was a key factor in our victory … She came through for us today in a big spot.”

Spanish Springs played stellar defense for the rest of the game and the Cougars didn't let a single Grizzly make it onto first base for final four innings of the game.

Darby racked up 12 strikeouts in seven innings. She didn't give up a hit but gave up one walk and hit one batter.

“Mallary threw a great game and we played good defense behind her,” Davidson said. “We pride ourselves on getting good pitching and good defense and we played both of those areas well today.”

In the seventh inning, Martensen singled and Jones hit a two-run homer to finish off the day 3-for-4.

Spanish Springs and Galena finish up their series in a doubleheader Saturday at Spanish Springs. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.

“This was a good win for us and I'm looking forward to the two games on Saturday,” Davidson said.