The Lady Riders got off to a rocky start to the season in Thursday's home opener at Rider Field, coming up short against the Wagoner Bulldogs by a score of 6-1.

Hulbert falls to 0-1 to start their campaign.

The Bulldogs were in control of the game from the beginning, jumping on top with two runs in the top of the first inning. They kept the pressure on, putting up two more runs in the second and one run apiece in the fourth and sixth frames.

The lone run for Hulbert came in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI-triple from freshman Katie Shade, scoring Katy Medlin, who led the inning off with a walk.

The Lady Riders offense would remain stagnant throughout the remainder of the game, only garnering three more hits - one coming from junior C.J. Bowlin, and two from senior Lexi Rowan.

Hulbert's defense had a tough time and looked unsteady throughout most of the game. They had a combined total of five errors, with the pitching staff giving up a total of ten hits, two walks, and four earned runs. Katy Medlin started the game in the circle for the Riders, with Jessi Gladd coming in for relief in the sixth inning.

One of the only highlights for the Riders came in the second inning, with a great catch in deep right field by Rayven Hardison.

Despite the loss, HHS coach Gary Riley remains optimistic.

"I think our youth kind of showed up," Riley said. "We knew we could struggle early in the season, just because the seniors we lost last year were four-year starters and we have some young replacements... I think as the year goes on, we're going to be playing at a high level. The young and inexperienced girls we have are athletic, they just lack game-time experience."