NEW LEBANON — Tri-County North opened the softball season with a pair of run-rule defeats of host Dixie on Saturday, March 23.

Riley Cruse was in the zone, tallying four hits and leading the Panthers to a 21-3 win over the Greyhounds. Cruse doubled in the first, singled and doubled in the third, and singled in the fifth to cap of a big performance.

North secured the victory thanks to 12 runs in the third inning. Sidney Jackson, Cruse, Avery Shank, Annabel Ferguson, Jaelyn Hawkins, and Kenzie Lykins all contributed in the big inning with RBIs.

Jackson got the scoring started for North with an RBI double in the first.

The Panthers collected 17 hits. In addition to Cruse’s four hit day, Jackson, Emily Norris, and Lexi Delong all managed multiple hits.

Jackson picked up the win. She went five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out six.

North tallied 12 runs in the first to pick up a 20-2 win in a game they hit three home runs.

The offense was led by Taylor Green, Cruse, Hawkins, Green, Jackson, and Delong, who each had RBIs in the inning.

Cruse and Jackson each homered in the first inning and Ferguson put one out in the third inning.

For the game, North racked up 19 hits. Lykins, Ferguson, Norris, Avery Shank, Green, Delong, and Cruse all managed multiple hits for the Panthers.

Ferguson and Lykins each had three hits.

Cruse got the win, tossing five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out eight and walking none.

North was scheduled to host rival Twin Valley South on Tuesday, March 26 for it Cross County Conference opener. The Panthers are scheduled to visit Arcanum on Thursday.