The Hillsboro softball team’s season opener that was originally scheduled for April 4 has been ruled a forfeit because Royall didn’t have enough eligible players to compete that day.

Last Thursday, with a win already under their belts, the Tigers took to the field for their actually first competition of the year, and the first in the head coaching career of long-time assistant coach Mike Burch.

Burch promised an aggressive, offensive approach and his team delivered, but his Tigers ultimately came up short in a 21–15 Scenic Bluffs loss to visiting Brookwood.

Hillsboro ripped eight hits and took advantage of 13 Brookwood walks to plate 15 runs, the Falcons offense totaled 11 hits and walked eight times to put up 21 runs.

After giving up two runs in the top of the first inning, Hillsboro sophomore Alexis Mathis held the Brookwood bats in check for the next three innings.

Hillsboro scored one run each in the second and third innings before the eight-run outburst in the fourth.

A three run blast off of the bat of sophomore Brittany Borchardt capped the eight-run inning, giving the Tigers a 10-2 advantage.

Brookwood answered with three runs in the fifth, then drew a walk and belted out four consecutive hits to begin an 11-run tide-turning sixth inning.

“Lexi was making only her second ever varsity start, and she did a heck of job against one of the best hitting teams in the conference,” said Burch.

“Our defense only committed two errors. However, they were both very costly ones.”

Burch started five sophomores, who combined to go 5-for-19 at the plate, scoring 8 runs and 7 RBI’s.

Borchardt finished 3-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs.

Sierra Hanke went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, including a two-run double in the Tigers’ eight-run fourth inning.

Mathis (0–1) took the loss after allowing 14 runs, 11 earned, on 10 hits in 52/3 innings pitched.

Saturday Hillsboro traveled to Richland Center hoping two play two games, but rain intervened.

The Tigers dropped a 12–2 decision to Reedsburg in game one, but game two against Richland Center was rained out.

Hillsboro scored the game’s first two runs against Reedsburg and led 2–0 until the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Beavers scored six runs in the frame, five after a two-out error, to take a 6–2 lead.

Borchardt started and pitched well for the most part but was done in by errors.

“Brittany pitched well enough to earn a win in this game, but the team had five errors in the fourth and sixth innings, which led to eight unearned runs,” said Burch.

Monday’s SBC game at New Lisbon was postponed by snow and will be made up May 8 as part of a doubleheader at Hillsboro.

Thursday’s home game with Bangor has already been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on May 12 at Bangor due to a conflict with several members of the Bangor team.

The Tigers (1–2, 1–1 SBC) will return to action Monday at Necedah.