Photo submitted to Times Observer Warren’s softball team comes together before taking the field for its home opener on Tuesday.

Warren’s softball team opened with seven strong innings against Region 5 rival Villa Maria.

The Lady Dragons’ biggest blast was a three-run walk-off home run off the bat of Alix Lytle for a 5-2 home win.

“Alix Lytle was so clutch,” said Warren coach Carissa Stuart. “That’s what captains and leaders are supposed to do. I thought they might have been trying to pitch around her. She had a 2-0 count. I’m so proud of her and our whole team.”

Lytle finished 3 for 4 and certainly cleaned up from her spot in the lineup with all five RBIs, but it was a team effort throughout.

“All I can say is, wow,” said Stuart. “Never did I think we would come out and play seven amazing innings. Ellee Irwin and Halle Kuzminski came up with huge plays in the infield. We worked a ton on limiting bases and hitting cuts, and our outfield did a great job at that. We started off with a textbook play: Katie (Madigan) got on a base, Ellee sacrificed her over to second with a bunt, Alana (Stuart) moved her up with a grounder, and Alix hit her in. We said we had to take advantage when we had runners on and we did.”

Freshman pitcher Alana Stuart also allowed a first-inning run, but settled down to strike out nine, including striking out the side twice. Villa tied the game 2-2 in the top of the seventh before Warren’s walk-off win.

“Alana pitched a great game,” said Coach Stuart. “She wasn’t happy that she walked that girl in the top of the seventh. I know how upset she was, especially after she scored and tied it up, but I give her credit for a freshman holding her composure and getting out of that inning with their go-ahead run left stranded on second.”

Villa finished with seven hits.

Among the Dragons’ 12 hits, Stuart and Lexi Hoffman added two apiece. Irwin and Stuart each reached based by base hits with two outs in the seventh to set up Lytle.