BY MICHAEL DAVID

The snow was cleared from the field and spring was in the air as the Lady Wolverines squared off against the Jerome Tigers for their varsity softball home opener Tuesday in Hailey. Unfortunately for Wood River, the Tigers were ready for the challenge, striking early and often, holding off the Wolverines for an 18-5 victory.

Jerome took advantage of early Wood River miscues to score three runs in the first inning on only one base hit. The Wolverines threatened in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with two outs but leaving all three runners stranded.

The Tigers scored another three runs in the second inning and four more in the third to take a commanding 10-0 lead. Wood River finally broke through in their half of the third inning, scoring two runs on three hits, much to the delight of the faithful at Founder's Softball Field.

Sidney Roberts started the rally with a one-out single, and Aloe Orison knocked Roberts in with a double in the left-center gap. A Janessa Avila single brought Orison home for the second run of the inning.

After Jerome added a run in the top of the fourth, Morgan Benson ignited the Wolverines in the bottom half with a leadoff single. A Marina Vercelli base on balls moved Benson into scoring position, and Emily Lizarraga singled to score Benson.

The Tiger bats erupted in the fifth inning for seven runs as the first seven batters reached base safely on six base hits and one base on balls.

Refusing to throw in the towel, the Wolverines scored two more times in their half of the fifth inning as Cameron Martin and Morgan Benson drove in Roberts and Orison to cap off the Wood River scoring attack.

The Lady Wolverines look to turn the tables on the Lady Tigers Wednesday as these two squads square off in double header action in Jerome. First pitch of Game One is at 3 p.m. Game two follows immediately.

Wood River Box Score           ab        r           h          rbi       

Adele Martin  ss                     3          0          0          0

Luci Cuellar  cf                       3          0          0          0

Sydney Roberts  p                 2          2          2          0

Aloe Orison  lf                        3          2          3          1

Janessa Avila  1b                   2          0          1          1

Cameron Martin. 2b                3          0          1          1

Morgan Benson  rf                  3          1          2          1

Marina Vercelli  dp                  1          0          0          0

Emily Lizarraga  3b                 3          0          2          1