Seton Keough pitcher Robi Zimmerman only needed 14 pitches in the first two innings to set the tone against two-time defending champion Archbishop Spalding in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland opener Tuesday.

Zimmerman focused on throwing strikes and allowed her defense to make plays, leading the fourth-ranked Gators to a 1-0 victory over the No. 3 Cavaliers in Severn. Zimmerman pitched a complete game, allowing just two hits with one walk and four strikeouts on 66 pitches.

"I was just trying to hit my spots," Zimmerman said. "I'm not a pitcher that is going to strike out a lot of hitters. So, I'm going to rely on my defense a lot.When they were putting balls on the ground, my defense was making plays and that's all you can ask."

Hannah Tavik had two of Seton's three hits including the game-winning RBI in the first inning when her single scored Bridget O'Malley, who was hit by a pitch. Spalding junior pitcher Bailey Rouk was also effective, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts and no walks. With the stellar pitching, the game lasted about 65 minutes.

"Bailey threw a great game [Tuesday] ," Spalding coach Kristin Dulay said. "She did everything I could have asked for. We knew we had to put the ball in play [against Zimmerman] and hopefully it bounces our way. We're excited to see them again."

Spalding (3-2 overall, 0-1 league) has beaten Seton (1-1, 1-0) in the past two conference championships. After the game, however, Seton's celebration was subdued with the players knowing there is still a long season ahead.

"We like to come out strong against all teams, but it's a little more intense playing Spalding," Tavik said. "We're always confident with Robi on the mound. We know we have to back her up."

Gators coach Chuck Snee, who took over the program this season after serving as an assistant for four years under Jackie Boswell, said he was a bit concerned about his team's offense in the early part of the season. However, he remained optimistic the hitters will come to life with more at-bats.

"They know they're a better hitting team than that, but right now they're not hitting the ball," Snee said. "We're not producing right now. We're talented and will get the bats going."

Agate

Softball

No. 4 Seton Keough 1, No. 3 Archbishop Spalding 0

SK 100 000 0 -- 1 3 0

SP 000 000 0 -- 0 2 1

Zimmerman and Roszel; Rouke and Traylor. 2B: SK: Tavik