The host Soldotna softball team notched an 8-7 comeback victory in five innings in nonconference play Friday.

It was the first game of the season for the Stars.

“For the first game of the year, we played a great game,” SoHi coach Kelli Knoebel said. “We came together as a team. Literally, it was a team effort.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the girls.”

The Stars entered the bottom of the fifth down 7-4 and with the time ticking away on the game’s time limit.

Knoebel said Emma Landeis had a big walk in the fifth inning, and Renee Hinz really got things going with a two-RBI single to cut the gap to 7-6.

Meghan Ussing, who finished 2 for 3 with two doubles, had one of those doubles to score Hinz and tie the game.

With two outs, Hannah Mayo then got a pinch-hit single to score Ussing and win the game.

“We had a lot of good at-bats,” Knoebel said. “That was the key thing.

“Looking down the line, everyone was on base.”

Also for the Stars, Jordan Martin was 1 for 1 and Ila Cobb was 2 for 3.

Delaney Schneider pitched the whole game for the Stars, striking out two.

“She pitched a great game,” Knoebel said. “She had a rough couple of first innings, but in the third, fourth and fifth, she shut them down and that helped us gain momentum back at the plate.”

The Stars travel to face Kenai Central and open their Northern Lights Conference slate Thursday at 6 p.m.

Palmer 14, Kenai Central 7, 4 innings

The host Kardinals dropped their nonconference season opener Saturday.

“A lot of girls on the field were first- and second-year players,” Kenai coach Mark King said. “It was a good opportunity to learn a lot and see the speed of a live game.”

King said the Kards had a few errors that cost them a lot of runs.

Cierra King pitched the whole game, striking out seven and walking seven. Coach King said about half of her runs were earned.

Darian Saltenberger was 2 for 3 with three RBIs, while Darcy Blue was 2 for 3 with an RBI and Emily Koziczkowski was 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Coach King said the hitting performance was a step forward after the team struggled to take practice hitting to games last season.

“Everybody on the team was making contact,” King said.

Next on the schedule for the Kards is a game in Homer on Tuesday at 6 p.m.