NEW GLARUS - Bob Wahl undoubtedly told his squad after Monday night's 13-2, six-inning loss at home to Lodi that there's a reason why you schedule teams like the Blue Devils early in the season.

The Glarner Knights' margin of defeat was not echoed in their coaches' voice after the Capitol crossover contest.

"I thought we played really well, especially for the first effort of the season," Wahl said. "We hit a lot of balls hard, but right at them."

Lodi plated six runs over the first two innings and ended things with a two-spot in the top of the sixth. New Glarus ace Keriann Schmidt racked up seven strikeouts but also issued eight walks.

Wahl hopes the outdoor acclimation took hold as his club travels to Marshall to open Capitol South play Thursday evening.

Mineral Point 3, Darlington 1

The odometer on Allison Taylor's baserunners went up immensely Monday night, although that's not saying much.

The Darlington ace allowed three runs in the Redbirds' 3-1 conference opening loss on the road. That more than doubles the junior's season tally as she'd allowed just two runs in Darlington's first two games, both victories.

The Redbirds quickly get a chance to right the ship tonight at the friendly confines when Iowa-Grant visits for another SWAL ballgame.