The Central softball team opened its season last week with a trio of tough losses, including a doubleheader sweep at the hands of MFL MarMac on May 27.

Game one was a back-and-forth battle between the two Upper Iowa Conference squads, with the Bulldogs taking a 4-0 lead after the opening frame. Central chipped away with two runs in the second inning, before MFL MarMac got one back for a 5-2 edge.

Although a five-run third helped the Warriors take a 7-5 lead, the Bulldogs battled back with five runs of their own, then scored seven more times in the fourth for a 17-7 victory.

MFL MarMac picked up eight hits—seven of them singles—and drew 15 walks.

The Warriors’ stat line included six hits and three walks, and they struck out just once against Bulldog pitchers.

MFL MarMac secured a 14-4 victory in game two of the doubleheader, breaking open what was a 6-4 lead with an eight-run fourth inning.

Bulldog players collected 10 hits as well as six walks. One player was hit by a pitch and two reached on Central errors.

Central hosted Central City for the home opener in Elkader on May 29, falling 15-3. The Wildcats led 6-0 after two innings, when the Warriors trimmed the lead by two runs after the third. However, Central City cranked out nine runs in the top of the fourth to put the game out of reach.

The Wildcats netted 16 hits and seven walks. Their pitchers allowed five Warrior hits along with five walks, while collecting eight strikeouts.

Central starts this week with a pair of doubleheaders at Postville on June 1, then at home versus North Fayette Valley on June 3. The team will play at Springville on June 5, before hosting the Central Softball Tournament on June 6.