The Soldotna High School softball team took a pair of hard-luck losses on a trip to the Mat-Su Valley Friday and Saturday.

In Friday’s game, the Stars had a lead in the late innings, but a couple of errors gave Colony chance to get back in the game, and the Knights won 8-7.

“That wasn’t what we wanted, but it was a good growing moment for us,” said Soldotna coach Kelli Knoebel.

Emily Jackson pitched well for the Stars, striking out five while walking just one batter. She allowed two hits.

Jazi Larrow was 2-for-4 at the plate, Delaney Schneider was 3-for-4, and Ember Lohrke was 2-for-2.

In Saturday’s game, the Stars settled down after a rough start, but couldn’t overcome an early 7-run deficit and dropped an 11-4 decision to Wasilla.

Knoebel said the Stars had too many errors early in the game, and at the plate, Soldotna batters let too many pitches go by.

Danielle Hills pitched well for Soldotna. Schneider and Amber McDonald were each 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Lohrke drove in a run.

“Wasilla played a good game, and we couldn’t manufacture enough runs to make it competitive,” Knoebel said.

Knoebel said Soldotna catcher Carlin Meyer played two good games, as she has all year.

The Stars will visit Homer Thursday.

“The good news is we’re headed to state, but we have some things to work on,” Knoebel said. “ Our bats are coming alive, but we’ve got to tighten up things on defense.”

Homer 10, Colony 2

The Mariners defeated the Knights 10-2 Saturday.

Riley Walls was 3-for-3 with an RBI for the Mariners, and scored three runs. Malina Fellows and Isabel Beach each drove in two runs for Homer.

McKi Needham struck out five over five innings pitched for Homer.

Wasilla 11, Homer 3, 5 inn.

The visiting Mariners scored three runs in the top of the first inning Friday, but the Warriors controlled the nonconference game after that.

Homer (6-6 overall) got two hits and a run from Mary Hana Bowe and a hit and a run from Riley Walls and McKi Needham.

Needham pitched all four innings and gave up 11 hits and 11 runs — four earned — while walking one and striking out three. Homer had five errors in the game.