Trinity Lutheran’s softball team found different ways to score runs Monday afternoon to defeat Orleans 5-3 in its season opener.

The Cougars didn’t wait long to get their offense rolling as Genesis Munoz walked with two outs in the bottom of the first inning and Jaryn Holtsclaw followed with a home run over the fence in left-center field.

“That’s a great way to start the game,” Cougars coach Chad Goecker said. “(Holtsclaw) connected well. We’re looking for a lot of good things out of the middle of our lineup this year.”

The Bulldogs used a hit, wild pitch and error by the Cougars to score once in the top of the third.

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The Cougars got that run back in the bottom of the third when Savannah Harweger singled, then advanced to second on a sacrifice by Jodi Goecker, and scored on a throwing error.

Trinity pitcher Morgan Gabbard was wild in the top of the fifth, as she walked five batters to force in two runs to tie the game.

Again, the Cougars quickly regained the lead. Maddie Bell walked and advanced to second on a passed ball, and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Emma Goecker. Harweger singled to drive in Bell, and Jodi Goecker singled to drive in Harwager.

The Cougars had four hits including two by Harweger. She was the only Trinity player to get on base twice. The Cougars drew two walks and struck out five times.

“It’s good to see the girls play through a little bit of adversity in the opening game for us,” Coach Goecker said. “The opening game is always good. You get to see what you’ve got to work on. It’s a really good way to get the season started with a win. We learned a lot tonight on what we need to work on and such.”

He said he wants to see the Cougars be more aggressive with their bats.

Orleans (1-1) is in the same sectional as Trinity, and Goecker predicted, “They’re going to get better. This was not necessarily of how things are going to go. They’re a good team and they’ll improve a lot throughout the season, as will we.

“We’re going to have to sharpen up and get our bats going. (Orleans’ Sydney Owens) is a pretty good pitcher. She is actually better than what she showed tonight.”

Hannah Deaton pitched the first four innings for the Cougars and held the Bulldogs to one unearned run while striking out four, walking one and allowing three hits.

“Hannah came in and did well,” Goecker said. “We’re happy with that. Morgan takes a little while to warm up. She just didn’t get enough warm up time that she needed. We’ve got to work harder on our pitching as well.

“I’m proud that the girls hung in there and won tonight.”

Trinity (1-0) is scheduled to play at Rising Sun on Wednesday.