Consecutive errors led to a three-run fourth inning and a lead visiting Conneaut would not relinquish, topping Warren’s softball team 5-3 on Tuesday in the Region 5 opener for both.

“Definitely didn’t expect us to play a perfect game, being our first game was the first time we could get on our field,” said Warren coach Carissa Stuart. “I did see a lot of good things. I was impressed with how we attacked the ball offensively. We might not have squared it up too many times, but we were swinging at strikes and not chasing, so the hits will come. We need to clean up our game defensively and again, the more we can get on the field, that will improve as well.”

Trailing 1-0, senior Carly Beers’ two-run double in the bottom of the third gave the Dragons’ a 2-1 lead.

“Carly had great at-bats,” said Stuart. “I have a feeling she’s going to have a really good year.”

After two errors to start Conneaut’s next at-bats, a groundball between short and third scored two to hand the Eagles the lead right back.

“Alana (Stuart) pitched a great game,” said coach Stuart. “She had great command of the zone, keeping batters off balance with a nice mix of pitches.”

Beers singled again to start the bottom of the sixth and scored on Halle Kuzminski’s two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to one run. Kuzminski was left stranded, as was freshman Emma Gray, who led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk.

Beers had three of Warren’s six hits. Gray singled in her first varsity at-bat.

Stuart took the loss in the circle despite allowing only five hits and two earned runs while striking out 14 batters.

“I told them, it’s not where we start, it’s where we end,” said Coach Stuart. “The goal is always to get better.”