Behind an error-free defense, 10 hits and a strong pitching performance, the Oak Harbor High School fastpitch team began the 2012 season with a 4-2 win over Mount Vernon Wednesday, March 14, at Hillcrest Elementary.

The Wildcats go to Sedro-Woolley Thursday, March 15, at 4:30 to make up Monday’s rainout and then travel to Lake Stevens Friday at 4.

In the win over Mount Vernon, Emily Saar pitched five innings and surrendered only three hits and one walk while racking up 11 strikeouts.

Emily Hunt tossed the final two innings and added two more Ks to earn the save.

Mount Vernon scored in the top of the first when it registered two of its hits, then Oak Harbor rallied for three in the third.

McKenzie DeMarsh started the rally with a single, then scored when Shawna Steele’s sacrifice bunt turned into a three-base error. Another error off the bat of Nikki Vogt scored Steele, then Morgan Young singled in Vogt.

Two errors, a passed ball and a sacrifice allowed Ysabella Sampson to score in the sixth.

The Bulldogs added the game’s final run in the seventh.

Young led the Oak Harbor offense with three singles and an RBI; Steele finished with two hits, a run and an RBI; Vogt was 1-for-2 with a run and RBI; and DeMarsh had a hit and run.

Coach Jess Weikle said, “First game out the girls were loose, ready to play competitively and very supportive of each other. The girls reached their personal team goal of playing error free ball, supporting each other in tough moments and taking advantage of scoring opportunities… So far, they’re working hard to achieve their goals. We are extremely proud of the girls’ first day out this season.”

Weikle said the only disappointment in the game was that her club left 10 runners on base.