The Washington softball team’s tough start to the season continued on Monday as it dropped a doubleheader to Dubuque Wahlert, 14-2 and 4-2, at home.

The Warriors (0-11, 0-10) started out slow defensively in the first game, committing five errors in the first inning as Wahlert (6-10, 3-7) jumped out to a 4-0 lead and cruised to an easy 12-run win.

“We came out with a horrible mindset,” said Coach Fanaye Kifletsadik. “We weren’t ready, we weren’t prepared, we didn’t have that killer instinct or the attitude and energy that we wanted.”

In the nightcap, the Warriors played a much better game.

“We had a much different mindset,” Kifletsadik said. “We came out the way we knew we can play and gave ourselves a chance to compete.”

The Warriors got out quickly in the second game. Jordon Pilcher and Hannah Schroeder crossed the plate in the second inning to put the Warriors on top, 2-0.

The Golden Eagles chipped away at the lead, however, scoring in each of the last four innings to grab the 4-2 victory.

Kifletsadik felt the second game was more indicative of the way the team has been playing lately.

“We have been competing in a lot more games (this year),” she said. “In a few games this year we have even outhit people. Unfortunately, the defense hasn’t been there.

"The hitting is coming around, we just haven’t played a complete game yet. I think we are starting to turn that corner and see that we can play all facets of the game in a night.”

One of the bright spots for the Warriors was eighth grade pitcher Caiti Peterson, who went all seven innings in game two. Peterson leads the team with a 4.98 ERA.

“It seems like every game she is getting better,” Kifletsadik said. “She has that mentality out there, she doesn’t let many things shake her.

"Even if somebody gets a double she is going to keep throwing strikes and keep throwing pitches and we are going to back her up. When you have a pitcher that stays calm and collected up there it really helps that defense. I’m really excited about the rest of the season and what is to come with her.”

Game 1

DUBUQUE WAHLERT (14)

Megan Rokusek 5 2 2 2, Ana Schmitt 5 3 2 2, Maddy Nilles 5 2 2 0, Alex Bahl 5 1 2 2, Kaitlin Burds 5 0 2 2, Gabby Tath 5 2 2 3, Emily Duve 2 2 2 0, Angel Moore 3 1 1 0, Kelli Koppes 4 1 1 3, Mary McAllister 0 0 0 0. Totals 39 14 16 14.

WASHINGTON (2)

Gail Barnum 3 0 0 0, Bree Linville 3 0 0 0, Kirsten Peterson 3 0 1 0, Callie Cook 3 0 1 0, Jordon Pilcher 3 0 0 0, Sam Short 3 1 2 0, Jordan Carr 3 0 1 0, Hannah Schroeder 3 1 2 2, Alexis Riley 2 0 1 0, Caiti Peterson 0 0 0 0, Bria Lenten 0 0 0 0. Totals 26 2 8 2.

Wahlert 421 011 5 – 14 16 1
Washington 001 010 0 – 2 7 10

Koppes and Bahl. K. Peterson and Short. W – Koppes. L – K. Peterson. 2B - Nilles, Bahl, Burds, Tath, Duve, Short 2. 3B - Schmitt. HR - Schroeder.

Game 2

WAHLERT (4)

Megan Rokusek 4 0 1 0, Ana Schmitt 4 0 1 1, Maddy Nilles 4 1 1 0, Alex Bahl 4 0 1 1, Kelli Koppes 4 1 2 0, Gabby Tath 3 0 2 1, Emily Duve 4 1 1 0, Kaitlin Burds 3 1 3 1, Brittney Rogers 3 0 0 0, Mary McAllister 0 0 0 0. Totals 33 4 12 4.

WASHINGTON (2)

Gail Barnum 3 0 2 0, Bria Lenten 3 0 0 0, Kirsten Peterson 3 0 1 0, Callie Cook 3 0 0 0, Jordon Pilcher 3 1 2 0, Sam Short 3 0 0 0, Jordan Carr 3 0 0 0, Hannah Schroeder 2 1 1 1, Alexis Riley 1 0 0 0, Megan Jones 1 0 0 0, Caiti Peterson 0 0 0 0. Totals 25 2 6 1.

Wahlert 000 111 1 – 4 12 0
Washington 020 000 0 – 2 6 0

Tath and Bahl. C. Peterson and Short. W – Tath. L – C. Peterson. 2B - Bahl, Koppes, Duve, Burds.