© East County Sports.com EL CAJON (3-27-08) -- Granite Hills High sophomore JENNY LAHITTE is anything but missing in action.

Despite not getting much respect in a recent poll by not even being listed among the contenders, Lahitte responded by delivering her fifth consecutive shutout, punishing 4th-ranked Patrick Henry, 7-0, in non-league action Wednesday (Mar. 26).

Lahitte finished with a 1-hitter, now allowing just four total hits in five outings this season. Her stat of 0.82 isn't an earned-run average, it's Lahitte's earned-HIT average after running her scoreless string to 34 consecutive innings.

"I practiced a lot to give myself a better start than I did last season," said Lahitte. "It's been a lot more (success) than I expected."

Lahitte owns a perfect 4-0 record facing many of the county’s best. Along with Wednesday's (Mar. 26) triumph over the Patriots, she's defeated ranked ballclubs in Poway and West Hills, plus a scoreless tie with No. 3 Scripps Ranch.

"Jenny's been just stepping it up -- offensively and defensively," said Eagles coach ERIN COYNE. "She's setting the tone out there for the rest of the girls to step up and play at her level."

The lone hit off Lahitte was a blooper over the shortstop's head by Henry right-fielder Maggie McCormick with one out in the 5th. Otherwise, Lahitte would've finished with her third consecutive no-hitter of the season. "I've lost a few of those on little bloopers," added Lahitte. "As long as they're not good hits, you're still proud of yourself."

Lahitte was also aided by solid defense, including a pair of nice grabs and throws by shortstop BRITTANI BERTUSSI, who shares pitching duties with Lahitte.

" "Brittani and I play on the same travel team (Southern California Breakers) and I've noticed she's gotten a lot better," Lahitte noted. "She has a lot of range at shortstop."

Lahitte also powered the offense by going 2-for-3, driving in runs with each hit.

In the 1st, her double to deep center scored MEGAN BELIO, and when the outfielder booted the ball, JESSIE SCHATZ also came around to score for a 2-0 lead.

Lahitte added an RBI single in the 3rd for a 3-0 lead, then the Eagles doubled the advantage in the 5th on singles by third baseman AMANDA OMAHEN and left fielder KYLEE WILSON, plus a bases loaded walk to right fielder SHAYLA ZETSCH.

Bertussi capped the run production by scoring on a wild pitch in the 6th for Granite Hills (8-2-1), which is ranked 12th in the county by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Patrick Henry fell to 5-2-1.