The Pierre bats were alive and well inside the Aberdeen Dome Tuesday afternoon.

The Governors collected nine extra-base hits on the way to a 17-0 three-inning win over Aberdeen Central in the season-opening softball contest for both Eastern South Dakota Conference teams.

Pierre had four doubles in a nine-run first inning, and then tacked on a home run and three more doubles in a seven-run second frame.

“Honestly, if you look back historically, our first game out of the gates has always been rough, so the result today wasn’t different than it has been in the past,” said Central coach Cassidy Neer. “If anything it was better than it has been in the past in terms of our team’s momentum, our ability to get on base.”

The Golden Eagles placed runners in scoring position in each of their three plate appearances during the contest, advancing one runner as far as third base in the bottom of the first inning.

“Our girls did a really good job fighting til end there,” Neer said. “We got baserunners on, things were moving, just not fast enough.”

Abby Frank played a big role in her first ever softball game. The eighth-grader, who competed in track and field last spring, had one of Central’s three hits and pitched two innings in the contest.

Frank had a solid single to center off Pierre lefty McKenzi Flottmeyer, who struck out seven batters among her team’s nine outs recorded.

Frank was able to time up a pitch after getting looks at a couple of them.

“It can be hard,” Frank said, “but once you get used to it, it gets pretty easy.”

Frank also got stronger in the circle, allowing just one run in third inning.

“I started getting into a groove,” Frank said, “and a few more pitches, just getting more over the plate.”

She also overcame a few rough at-bats in the second frame to record outs off of batters who had gotten hits in the previous at-bat.

“You think about it a little,” Frank said, “but after that you just got to forget about it and move on to the next play.”

Neer was pleased with the performance of Frank in her softball debut.

“We saw potential in her from the very beginning,” Neer said, “and there wasn’t a doubt in our mind to have her in that three spot today, just bringing out the energy, and getting after it right out of the gates.”

The coach also noted that Franks picks up things quickly for a first-time player.

“She’s so receptive to coaching. We couldn’t ask for anything more than that, especially in the circle. She takes feedback and applies it right away,” Neer said. “She looks up to her teammates that have been here before. She’s a great addition to the team. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

The Golden Eagles are planning to keep improving as the season progresses.

“We competed to what we could do,” Frank said, “and we’re hoping to improve on it.”

Despite the lopsided setback, Neer was pleased with what she saw from her players in their first game of the year.

“Unfortunately, the score looks ugly, but I couldn’t be happier with our girls,” Neer said, “and I couldn’t be more faithful in them to get it done and keep building. Our culture is outstanding.”

The Golden Eagles host Groton at 4 p.m. Thursday at the dome. The Tigers are in their first year as a program.

“From a development standpoint I think it will be amazing for both teams to get to see each other, from a relatively close geographic area,” Neer said. “We’ve been there getting our program going from the ground up, so I hope if anything it builds a great friendship and support for one another.”

Pierre 971 – 17 13 2

Aberdeen Central 000 – 0 3 1

McKenzi Flottmeyer and Emma Theilen; Sydney Hoog, Abby Frank (2) and Alivia Roettele. 2B – Pierre, Ava Nelson 2, Presley Spies, Milliana Johnson, Ally Keyes, Charlotte Hull, Taryn Spruill, Micah Buffalo. HR – Pierre, Alivia Heymans.