The Western Michigan Christian and Muskegon Catholic Central co-op softball team dropped its season opener on Tuesday in a non-conference doubleheader against Hesperia.

WMCC dropped Game 1 by a score of 17-2 and lost Game 2 by a score of 9-4.

In the opening game, Hesperia benefited from 12 walks and built an early 8-0 lead in the top of the first, before adding four runs in the second and five in the third. WMCC plated two runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Leading the way on offense for WMCC was Hannah Nestell (WMC), Abby Sweetman (WMC), Stephanie Weesies (WMC) and Taylor Mosher (WMC), who each collected a base hit. Mosher and Weesies drove in the two WMCC runs.

Sweetman and Sophie Hawke shared the pitching duties, giving up nine hits, while collecting a strikeout.

In the second game, Hesperia again jumped out to an early lead and built the lead to 9-0 after five innings. After holding off a threat that would have ended the game, WMCC came back to score two runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh.

Providing the offense for WMCC was Rebecca Ter Haar (WMC) with two hits and Maria Sanocki (MCC) with one hit and two RBIs. Nestell, Hannah Pell, Sweetman and Mosher each had one hit.

In the circle, Sanocki, Hawke and Sweetman combined for six innings pitched, giving up six hits and striking out two.

"Today was a great learning experience for us," said WMCC head coach Jeff Nestell. "Due to the cold weather and spring break, we haven't had much time outside. As the games went on, I could see the girls figuring things out and getting better. Every girl gave a full effort as they battled the cold and some early deficits.

"I was pleased with how we stayed in the second game and played hard all the way to the end. There were a lot of good things that happened today, including two double plays and some clutch hitting, so there's lots to build on as we move on into the season."