Payton Kaefer keeps Batavia going through eight-game losing streak. And then, finally, a win. ‘A good one.’

This was her day, and Batavia pitcher Payton Kaefer probably had one coming.

So, too, did her team.

There’s no doubt the Bulldogs were feeling the growing weight of an eight-game losing streak as they — dare we say it — limped into a nonconference date Saturday against De La Salle.

“We’ve been playing some good games,” Kaefer said. “But this one? I think it really brings up our energy going into the bulk of our conference schedule which really gets rolling next week.

“This was a good one to get us going.”

And the sophomore right-hander played a big role — both in the circle and in the batter’s box — as host Batavia snapped its skid with a 9-3 victory.

Kaefer started and went five strong innings to earn the pitching win, allowing only two runs on six hits and a walk for the Bulldogs (3-11), who had started the season 2-3.

At the plate, Kaefer led a 13-hit attack with three hits and three RBIs, driving in runs with a pair of RBI singles and smacking a solo home run over the fence in right field to highlight her team’s seven-run fourth inning that provided the knockout.

Which facet stands out for her?

“Probably hitting,” Kaefer said, especially her second homer of the year. “It was a little change-up. I was waiting for mine, saw it right down the middle and waited back on it.”

Senior catcher Teagan Sullivan felt Batavia needed a boost against De La Salle (11-2), which came in with five starters carrying batting averages of .447 or better with a total of 21 homers.

“Honestly, with the streak, you could tell the morale of everybody was just getting lower,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully, it will begin building.”

Sullivan also had three hits, including an RBI double in the fourth that also featured a two-run single by junior second baseman Lexi Coonrod. Senior left fielder MacKenzie Krauch, Kaefer’s stepsister, added two hits, including a double.

Kaefer, who is in her second season on varsity, gave up the two runs on a two-out bloop single that barely cleared the infield. Freshman Francesca Carter came on to pitch the last two innings, giving up an unearned run to close out the win.

“I was a little nervous being a freshman on varsity last season,” Kaefer said. “But there were two other freshmen on the team, and having other people to help me grow more into this team was big for me.

“It was a shock to be able to play with my stepsister Kenzie but that was great, too.”

Kaefer has emerged as the leader of a very young pitching staff for Batavia coach Torry Pryor.

“Hitting is not the problem,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s our defense that lets us down and sometimes it’s more situational hitting. Our pitching has been keeping us in the game a lot.”

Kaefer didn’t strike out a batter Saturday but didn’t need to either.

“She’ll pitch to contact,” Pryor said. “She does a great job of keeping the ball in play, keeping it in the field. Sometimes, she’ll have troubles here and there, but she’s only a sophomore.

“Most of the time, she’s on point.”

Senior center fielder Amira Mendoza, Krauch and junior outfielder Payton Eifrid came up with big plays behind Kaefer, highlighted by Mendoza’s diving catch in the first inning.

“That’s usually how I am,” Kaefer said. “I throw a lot of spin pitches, trying to get them to hit it off the end of the bat in the air or for ground balls. I love my drop ball and throw it a lot — that and my rise and changing locations.”

Sullivan confirmed that Kaefer is consistent hitting her spots.

“Her spins work,” Sullivan said. “For her, confidence is a big thing, especially with her hitting. When she hit the home run, she had a smile and it was like a different person.”