Opening a season against a team that already has three games under its belt can be a challenge. Even more so for Plymouth when the opponent is ranked ninth in the state.

#9 (4A) South Bend St. Joe (4-0) stayed unbeaten on the young season with a win over Plymouth, 8-1.

“We showed a lot of fight against the #10 ranked team in the state. Our girls battled until the end and if we play cleaner in the field and also get a few timely hits we would’ve been right in this game,” said head coach John Johnson.

Senior Kayla Johnson pitched a complete game surrendering nine hits and eight runs with just two of those earned. She walked four and struck out one.

Elsaya Bohm, Elizabeth Derifield and Gracie Patrick accounted for the Pilgrims three hits in the game. Bohm had the team’s lone RBI with a home run in the 7th inning.

Plymouth (0-1) will be home Wednesday to host Peru at 5:30 p.m.