Rained out of their first four softball games, Mick Byrd’s Vienna Eagle softball team finally got to open their season last Thursday against Salem’s Lady Tigers.

Quickly finding themselves in a 7-0 hole, Vienna roared back with six first-inning runs and a pair of runs in the second inning before doubling their run total in the later innings of their 16-8 season-opening victory.

In their six-run bottom of the first inning, the Eagles got singles from Kadence George, Kayla Hertzing, Marsie Messersmith and Karissa Feeler. All four of them scored.

A Gabby Wilkinson walk led to the big blow of the inning off the bat of Jada Kleffner.

Clearing the bases, Kleffner wound up with a three-RBI triple before scoring on a Alicia Long RBI sacrifice fly pulling Vienna to within a run at 7-6 after one inning.

Salem scored a run in the top of the second for an 8-6 lead. Vienna looked to take their first lead of the season in the bottom of the first inning.

Hertzing reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored on a Feeler RBI single pulling the Eagles to within a run at 8-7.

Messersmith singled and scored on a RBI single off the bat Kleffner tying the game at 8-8 after two innings.

Pitching in relief of Messersmith, Long held Salem scoreless in the top of the third inning leaving the game tied at 8-8. This game Vienna a chance to take their first lead of the season.

After a scoreless bottom half of the third inning, the Eagles got another chance in the bottom of the fourth after Salem went scoreless in the top half of the fourth.

Messersmith and Feeler both singled before Wilkinson reached on a fielder’s choice.

Long and Terra Huffman both recorded a run batted in Vienna’s five-run bottom of the fourth inning giving them a 13-8 lead.

Moving to the bottom of the sixth inning, a Hertzing two-RBI triple followed by a Messersmith RBI gave the Eagles their final margin of victory.

Kleffner finished with four RBIs followed by two each from Hertzing, Messersmith, Wilkinson and Long.

Feeler, Molly Otto and Huffman each also stole a base.

Playing their second game in as many days, Vienna welcomed Dixon’s Lady Bulldogs

Once again falling behind early in the game 2-0, Vienna plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning before going on to a 15-5 victory in five innings.

George had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored for the Eagles against Dixon while Hertzing also drove in three runs to go along with three hits.

Otto was halfway to the cycle with a double and a two-run home run finishing the game with two hits, three runs scored and four RBIs.

Long also scored three runs with two hits and a RBI.

Feeler swiped a team-high two bases against the visiting Lady Bulldogs.

Off to a 2-0 start, the Eagles looked to double their win total with Saturday games against Tuscumbia and Owensville at Vienna City Park.

In their first game against Tuscumbia, Vienna raced out to a 13-0 lead before finally dispatching the Lady Lions 18-6 in six innings.

Messersmith had the big bat for the Lady Eagles with five RBIs on a triple and two doubles.

Hertzing added three RBIs on two hits and a stolen base.

Kleffner, Feeler and Sadie Novak each drove in a run while Huffman scored two runs in addition to Alexi Struemph and Alayna Patton each scoring a run.

Against Owensville’s Dutchgirls, Vienna grabbed an early 2-0 lead giving Messersmith all the run support she would need.

Aided by a sixth-inning insurance tally, the Eagles held on to defeat Owensville 3-1 in spite of the Dutchgirls having the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the seventh inning.

George had three hits, a stolen base and a RBI to lead Vienna against a good Owensville team.