IRMO – Blythewood softball threw its first pitch of the regular season Monday in Irmo as they faced off against Dutch Fork.
Up 2-0 after their first at bat, the Bengals struggled to contain Dutch Fork’s offense as they put up six runs in the first.
The Silver Foxes extended the lead 7-2 after two innings, but Blythewood responded with a five-run third inning to trail 8-7.
Dutch Fork answered back in the bottom of the third with two runs and tacked on another two in the fifth to take a 12-7 lead.
With their backs against a wall, Blythewood responded with four runs in the sixth, but fell short of the lead and finished with an 11-12 loss.
Hannah Black led the Bengals at the plate, batting 2-4. Haley McCoy and Bell Reynolds each hit a double. McCoy and Lauren Hardy were credited with 3 RBIs, and Reynolds added two.
Hardy took the loss in the circle for Blythewood, allowing six runs on two hits and five errors in the first inning. Hardy walked four. Josie Smythe faced 28 batters in her six innings of relief. She allowed 7 hits and six runs, struck out two and walked four.
Blythewood was scheduled to return to action on Wednesday against Nation Ford, but scores were not available at press time. They will host Edisto at home on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:15.