Academy Cougar senior Ashley Mendiola made quite the statement in her first game of the season Monday evening as the All-Island pitcher started off her final season striking out 14 batters with her squad defeating the home team Southern Dolphins 9-3.

The Cougars offense did most of their damage early on scoring six runs in the first two innings, five in the second alone, to control a 5-1 lead midway through. The Dolphins picked up their final run in the 6th inning, but couldn’t get through Mendiola’s pitching in the 7th to mount a comeback.

Mendiola struck out three batters in the 7th to clinch the Cougar win.

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The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)

The Academy Cougars started the season strong with a 9-3 victory over the Southern High Dolphins late Monday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Blas)