CHANUTE, Kan. - The Independence Softball team came up empty in their conference opener as they dropped a pair of games to Neosho County, falling 9-3 in game one, before falling 10-0 in five innings in game two. 

In game one, Neosho broke the game open with a seven run third inning that gave them an early eight run advantage. The Pirates held their ground though, immediately answering back with three runs of their own thanks to back to back RBI hits from Kamdyn Minnick and Maddison Wammock. Neosho was able to tack on an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning before both teams were held off the scoreboard for the duration of the game, resulting in the 9-3 loss for Indy. 

Seven of the nine Pirate hitters tallied a hit, with Londyn Dempster leading the way with a pair of hits and a run scored. The Pirates had multiple opportunities to chip away at the lead as they left nine runners on base in the loss. 

In the circle, Brooklin Phillips was solid in her short start, going three innings and surrendering a pair of hits, a pair of walks and one earned run. 

In game two, The Pirate offense struggled to ever get anything going as Neosho once again jumped ahead early as the first three batters of the game all reached base and came around to score, leading to a five run first inning. The Pirates were only able to muster three hits, and failed to ever get on the scoreboard as Neosho tacked on another four runs in the bottom of the fourth and pulled away for the 10-0 run-rule victory. 

Dempster, Kylie Dennison and Kylie Porschien notched the only three hits for the Pirates in game two.

The Pirates will return home for their conference home opener on Saturday as they host Highland, looking to pick up their first conference wins of the season.