ONTARIO — The Hillsboro softball team has struggled in back-to-back losses after beginning the season 4–0.

Three days after a 10–3 loss to Cashton, Brookwood handed the Tigers a second straight conference setback to the tune of 17–7 in six innings.

Hillsboro outhit Brookwood 12–8, but committed four errors, and Tiger pitchers issued 13 walks.

Brookwood’s Amber Brueggen, Angel Bruggen, Mackenzie Berg and Jolyne Stone combined to scored 14 runs, but reached base on just three hits combined.

Hillsboro (4–2, 2–2 SBC) scored twice in the top of the second to tie the game at 2–2, then scored twice more in the third to take a short-lived 4–2 lead.

The Falcons (2–4, 1–3) score third in the third to regain a one-run lead.

Both team scored two runs in the fourth as Brookwood maintained a 7–6 lead, before scoring five runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to end the game early via the 10-run rule.

Sierra Hanke went 3-for-3 to lead the Tigers in defeat.

Alexis Seeley went 2-for-3 with a double, and Sydney Johnson (2-for-3) and Destiny Shore (2-for-4) each had two hits for Hillsboro.

Brittany Borchardt (2–1) suffered her first loss of the season, allowing 12 runs, four earned, on five hits and six walks in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Lexi Mathis started for Hillsboro and allowed five runs on two hits and seven walks in three innings.

Monday’s Scenic Bluffs Conference game with Wonewoc–Center was postponed due to cold temperatures and will be made up Tuesday, May 5.

Burch’s Tigers will return to action today at Royall. Hillsboro will then travel to New Lisbon at the Woodside Sports Complex in Mauston on Monday.