CHERRY TWP — Dan Hindman doesn't refer to his Slippery Rock High School softball team as young.

“Just inexperienced,” he said.

There's nothing like gaining experience through winning.

The Rockets improved to 2-0 Saturday with a 6-4 win at Moniteau, using a three-run fifth inning to snap a 2-2 tie. Slippery Rock edged Clarion, 9-8, to open the season Friday.

“We only have three starters back from last season,” Hindman said.

One of those three — junior pitcher Paige Gresgot — is making her presence felt early. She struck out seven while walking only one in getting the victory Saturday.

Gresgot also has five hits in her first eight at-bats this season, including two doubles, a single, two runs scored and an RBI Saturday.

“Paige is one of the girls we're counting on heavily this year,” Hindman said. “She's getting better and better. She's coming into her own on the mound, too, and that's exciting to see.”

The Warriors, playing their season opener Saturday under new head coach Bob Rottman, were victimized by that rough fifth inning. Olivia Andreas reached on a one-out error for Slippery Rock and Brooke Balint singled up the middle.

Sammy Meredith hit a grounder to third, Andreas beating the throw to the plate to break the 2-2 deadlock. Gresgot drilled a run-scoring single to center and Meredith scored the final run of the inning on a fielder's choice.

“One bad inning there,” Rottman said. “I thought this was a fairly even game overall.

“Our lineup is still a work in progress. We'll be moving some people around while we find the best fit.”

Kinzie Miller had three RBI for Slippery Rock. Meredith scored a pair of runs.

Courtney Stewart struck out six in taking the loss for Moniteau. She allowed seven hits.

“Courtney pitched a solid game. She's going to do very well for us,” Rottman said.

Abby Rottman had a double, two singles and an RBI to pace the Warriors. Stewart and Mariska Shunk had two singles each.

Hindman coached against Moniteau for the first time since he coached the Warriors to some league championships a few years ago.

“Definitely a different feel for me walking down to this field today, especially going over to the visitors' dugout,” Hindman said. “I look at those (championship) banners on the outfield fence ... I was a part of some of those.

“A lot of good memories here.”

Both teams return to action this week. Slippery Rock plays Tuesday at Grove City while Moniteau travels to Butler on Thursday.