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A three run third helped Dodgeville to a 4-0 lead and they held on for a 4-2 non-conference wi over Belmont Monday.
The Lady Braves outhit the Dodgers 8-6, but left too many stranded on base.
Belmont scored their two runs in the fourth, but has a runner thrown out at second base by Dodger catcher Grace Borne when she was trying to steal as their final tally crossed the plate.
Their tallies were driven in when Nicole Knebel singled as did Douglas with Abby Althaus driving in one and other scoring on the throw to second catching Althaus stealing.
Belmont's Briana Ernsts was 3x4 while Althaus was 2x3 on the day.
Knebel, Chelsey Douglas and Lindsey Rutz had he other safeties.
Willborn fanned six, walked one and gave up six hits inaking the loss.
Dodger junior hurler Lindsey Murphy went the distance with seven strikeouts and a pair of bases on balls. She gave up eight hits, all singles.
The lone extra base hit came from Dodge sophomore Korra Wasley.
Wasley, Audrey White, Ellie Argall, Borne, Olivia Argall and Amanda Ludwig all had hits.
The Dodgers scored once in the second on Borne's single, a stolen base and two passed balls.
They scored three times in the third on singles by Ludwig, WHite and Ellie Argall plus a walk to Wasley.
Belmont committed one error while the Dodgers played errorless ball.
"It was the first game of the year for our young Dodgers but getting started a week or more later than the other teams, they were really anxious to get playing," said Dodger coach Gene Van Dyck. "As usual Belmont, who regularly plays in the state tourney had another had another outstanding team. They had a very good pitcher, solid defense and the best hitting team 1 thru 9 that I can remember them having. As a result it was a tough evenly played game that went down to the last half inning as Belmont had the tying runs on base in the top of the 7th with only one out. However, Lindsey then struck out their #2 hitter and induced their #3 hitter into a grounder to our second baseman Amanda Ludwig to end the game."
He added, "The weather was a little chilly but it didn't seem to effect the players or the game. There was only 1 error in the game and a total of 3 walks. Both pitchers threw really well, but the hitters held their own as Belmont had 8 hits and only 7 strike outs while Dodgeville collected 6 hits and only struck out 6 times. All the fielders basically played solid defensive ball with Dodgeville's Korra Wasley Making an outstanding play in center field while Belmont's 3rd baseman (Ruiz) made a tremendous play on a bunt by Dodgeville's Amanda Ludwig that ended up keeping us off the score board in the 4th."
"If there was a difference in the game, it was Dodgevilles speed and baserunning which led to 2 of their runs," he went on saying. "The other main difference is that while Dodgeville stole 3 bases without being thrown out while Dodgeville's catcher Grace Borne threw out both of Belmont's would be base stealers while not allowing a passed ball or wild pitch the entire game. I can't stress enough the difference this made."
"It was really an outstanding first game for a team which started 3 freshmen, 3 sophomores and a junior. All of the players including the seniors played confident, solid ball both on offense and defense. They not only played well physically but also emotionally and mentally. They did what they should have done in all 3 phases of the game. Really amazing for s first game let alone for such a young team," Van Dyck concluded.