BROWNSTOWN

Bedford North Lawrence didn’t hold back in its season-opener.

The Stars used 16 hits and took advantage of six Brownstown Central errors to pick up a 22-1, five-inning road win Monday.

In the first inning, the Stars scored a pair of runs on a double from Cassie Rutledge.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

After claiming the lead, the Stars’ bats caught fire.

Following an RBI single from Tristin Day, with bases loaded, Sarah Stone blasted a grand slam over the center field fence to put the Stars up 7-0. With two outs, Hailey Miller then hit a solo homer to left field to add another run.

Neither team scored in the third inning, but it didn’t take the Stars long to get the offense flowing again.

With two runners on base, Cassie Rutledge smashed a home run to right field to extend the Stars lead to 10-0. Both Kate Williams and Kiera Connerley hit two-run singles to boost the Stars advantage to 14-0 before the midway point of the fourth inning.

Zoe Fountain’s bunt put the Braves on base for the first time to lead off in the bottom of the fourth inning. Fountain went on to steal second and third bases before bringing it home on a passed ball.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Stars left any room for doubt.

Bedford North Lawrence scored one run on a fielder’s choice, three runs on Brownstown Central errors, and another four runs on two-run singles from Madison Pittman and Brynlea Bennett to lead 22-1.

The Braves loaded the bases, on two hit-by-pitches and a walk, but couldn’t take advantage, as they were run-ruled.

Rilee Robinson took the loss in the circle, pitching two innings with the start. Kyra Huffman also tossed 2.1 innings, and Fountain was in for .2 innings, pitching-wise.

“We have girls pitching for the first time in varsity game, and when you’re loading the bases with no outs. It hurts,” Braves coach Monte Ault said. “We’re putting the girls in a bad spot. We’re trying to make pitchers out of them. They’re working hard, and we need to back them up. There’s no excuse for some of these throwing errors we’re making.”

Fifteen of Bedford North Lawrence’s runs were earned in the game.

Ault thinks the team can bounce back from the tough loss.

“We just need to keep battling,” he said. “We have games coming up we’re capable of winning. I’m not going to get down on these girls, we have some pretty good athletes out there.”

Weather-permitting, the Braves will host Columbus East today.