MARICOPA, Ariz. – The Chargers had a disappointing Friday to start the 13th Annual Krystin Diehl Softball Tournament hosted by the Maricopa Rams. After a 15-2 loss to the Rams, the Florence Gophers defeated the Chargers 12-6.

Nine runs by the Rams kicked off the opening game as they shut out the Chargers until the third inning. McClintock was able to get on the board with two runs in the fourth inning, although the team ultimately fell short of the victory.

“They were a good team and they swing the bat well,” said head coach Charlie Marshall. “You can’t miss over the middle of the plate to girls that swing it. They’ll make you pay, and they made us pay.”

However, the Chargers brushed off the loss and kept it moving into the next game against the Florence High Gophers -- this time with adjustments of getting girls who hadn’t seen time in the first game on the field, and giving injured pitcher Jordan Ayala some reps on the mound.

McClintock kept the game close early on, answering three of the Gophers' four runs in the first inning. They added to the scoreboard as Martinez batted in two runners.

The Chargers were able to identify mistakes made in their opening game and improved on them in their next matchup.

“My biggest thing to focus on was being more confident in the batter’s box and really watching the pitches,” said Ayala.

Even though the games did not go their way, McClintock will focus on not letting defeat define their season. CMarshall inspires the Chargers to move forward by controlling how they respond to what happens to them, instead of letting mistakes drag them down.

“Our strength was not giving up,” said second baseman and shortstop Jianna Martinez. “We made a lot of errors in the field but everybody really stuck together and didn’t give up.”

McClintock will continue in the tournament as part of the bracket play portion on Saturday.