NEW HAVEN — The Wahama softball team started its 2009 campaign with mixed results on Monday, splitting a doubleheader with visiting Wirt County during a 2-0 loss in the opener and an 11-6 victory in the nightcap.

The Lady Falcons (1-1) ran into a buzzsaw in game one, as Wirt County starter Emily Cox allowed no runs and just five hits over seven innings in the opening contest. Cox recorded 10 strikeouts and walked only three while picking up the winning decision.

Starter Kylie Riggs — who allowed only two runs, six hits and four walks while striking out four — took the loss for the Lady Falcons.

Taylor Hysell led the hosts with three hits, followed by Riggs and Kali Harris with one safety apiece. K. Wilson and S. Kelley paced WCHS with two hits each, with Wilson knocking in both runs of the game in the fourth inning.

In the second matchup, the hosts found their sticks early and often — jumping out to a 5-2 lead after just one inning of play. WHS also padded its lead to 8-2 after the second frame.

Wirt County countered with three runs in the top of the third to pull within 8-5, but never came closer the rest of the way. Wahama tacked on three scores in its half of the third to take a commanding 11-5 cushion into the latter innings.

The guests managed to plate a run in the fifth to pull within five runs, but the rally came up short. The second game was called short due to darkness, giving the hosts their first win of the season.

Wahama starter Alex Wood — who allowed six hits and just three earned runs over her five innings of work — picked up the winning decision in game two. Wood also recorded two strikeouts and five walks.

Cox took the loss for Wirt County, allowing eight earned runs and seven hits during her five innings of work. Cox also fanned four and walked four.

Riggs led WHS with two hits and scored three times, while Wood, Chelsea Fowler and Chelsea Stewart each had one hit and two RBIs apiece. Hysell and Lindsey Deem both provided a hit and knocked in a run each.

Cox led the guests with two hits and an RBI.

Wahama will return to the diamond on Thursday when it hosts Buffalo at 5 p.m.

Wirt County 2, Wahama 0

Wirt Co 000 200 0 — 2 6 1

Wahama 000 000 0 — 0 5 2

WIRT COUNTY (1-0): Cox and Hardbarger.

WAHAMA (0-1): Kylie Riggs and Deidra Peters.

WP — Cox; LP — Riggs.

Wahama 11, Wirt County 6

Wirt Co 203 01 — 6 6 1

Wahama 533 0x — 11 7 3

WIRT COUNTY (1-1): Cox and Hardbarger.

WAHAMA (1-1): Alex Wood and VanMatre.

WP — Wood; LP — Cox.