YANKTON – Aberdeen Central struck first, but Yankton struck far more often on Monday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles were unable to sustain a brief lead and dropped a 17-2 Eastern South Dakota Conference four-inning decision in their season-opening softball game.

Central got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning when Kaylee Kiesow was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on an error. However, that momentum was short lived in the bottom half of the frame.

The Gazelles took advantage of some Central miscues to piece together an 11-run first inning. Jocelyn Behrns started off the uprising by connecting for a lead-off double, before four straight Central errors led to a 4-1 Yankton lead.

Three more hits and two walks later Yankton increased its lead to 7-1. Two more runs came in on another error, before Isabelle Sheldon capped the frame with a two-run double.

“We came out of the gates hot, but panicked defensively early on,” said Central coach Cassidy Neer. “We struggled with our hitting approach and backing up our pitcher.”

The Golden Eagles, who had a runner on base in each inning, plated another run in the top of the fourth. Rachel Siefken, who reached on an error, took second on a walk, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored when Avery Bendewald hit into a fielder’s choice.

Bendewald finished with Central’s only hit and drove in one of the team’s two runs.

Meanwhile, Madison Girard was in control in the circle, striking out nine batters while walking just two.

Central has its home opener on Thursday when it hosts Mitchell at 4 p.m. at Koehler Hall of Fame Field.

“We have our work cut out for us,” Neer said, “but I’m confident we will continue to make progress.”

Aberdeen Central 100 1 – 2 1 10

Yankton (11)21 3 – 17 11 2

Kaylee Kiesow and Alivia Roettele; Madison Girard and Kyra Tjeerdsma. 2B – Yankton, Hailey Schulte, Isabelle Sheldon, Jocelyn Behrns. 3B – Yankton, Brooklyn King.