Freshman Kelsey Jones had two hits and three putouts but the Wolverines softball team lost its season opener 19-4 to visiting Hall-Dale Monday afternoon.

Jones was called on to play shortstop after her teammate Clara Mugnai dislocated her finger during pregame warm-ups. After the game, Coach Gordon Campbell awarded Jones a game ball. “She got her first hit, a single up the middle, in her first at bat playing for the varsity,” Campbell said afterwards.

Hall-Dale went ahead 1-0 in the first inning by scoring an unearned run. The Bulldogs threatened to add more after loading the bases with two outs but Wolverine pitcher August Moore got the next batter to line out to Jones, ending the inning.

In the home half of the first inning, Lindsey Gordon drew a base-on-balls with one out. Moore grounded out, moving Gordon along to second base but Sydnie Thayer then flied out to center field.

Hall-Dale scored two more unearned runs in the second inning. With two outs and two runners aboard, Amanda Benner then tripled to left field, knocking in two more runs. Jones led off with a single when the Wolverines batted in the second but the next three Wiscasset batters went down in order, stranding Jones at second base.

Later in the game, Benner doubled and singled for the Bulldogs. Three of the Wolverines’ runs came in the fifth inning. “It was a bit of a rally for us and it was really good to see our girls hadn’t given up. Very positive for us,” Campbell added.

Moore went the distance on the mound for Wiscasset Middle High School although the game was shortened by the mercy rule after five innings.

Campbell said afterwards, Mugnai’s loss forced him to make a number of spur of the moment adjustments to his lineup. “Unfortunately, it turned out Clara had broken her finger and she’ll have to sit out for a few weeks. It’s a big loss for us,” he said. The coach added he hoped Stephanie Jones, the team’s only senior, will return soon to the lineup. She is recovering from a knee injury.

“At the moment it leaves me with two girls on the bench. I told the girls to be ready to play anywhere I need them on the field,” he said.

Weather permitting, the Wolverines will travel to Madison Wednesday, April 26. Wiscasset hosts Mountain Valley Friday afternoon. The opening pitch is set for 4 p.m.