— PONCA CITY — Freshman second baseman Aubrey Johnson had three hits including a home run and drove in three runs as the Muskogee Lady Roughers rallied to beat Ponca City 9-6 in nine innings in the first game of their season-opening doubleheader at the Lady Wildcats’ diamond on Tuesday.

Muskogee couldn’t carry that over in the second game, falling 9-7 for a split of the twinbill.

The Lady Roughers came back with three runs in the seventh to tie the opener at 6-all and then added three more in the ninth for the win. Paige Gann and Jessi Venable homered, while Gann pitched all nine innings for the win.

In the second game, Muskogee built a 5-0 lead before Ponca City scored six runs in the second inning on three walks and a three-run home run.

Losing pitcher Shaylee Rowland and NIa Maxwell and Johnson each had two hits. Maxwell also had two stolen bases in the nightcap. Rowland relieved Gann after the second inning.

“Offensively, we played well,” coach Keith Coleman said. “We had a chance to win in the second game, but we just came up short.”

n FORT GIBSON 12, WAGONER 0 — Mackenzie Williams had three hits, drove in two runs and scored twice in the Lady Tigers’ win against the Bulldogs in Verdigris Valley Conference action at the Lady Bulldogs’ diamond.

Brooke Benham, Tyler Martin and Sydney Murray each had two hits and drove in two runs.  Winning pitcher Madison Higley struck out seven batters and gave up just one hit in the game that went three innings.

“It was a great way to start the year,” coach Jaime Snyder said. “We hit the ball great and Madison did a great job in her first varsity game in the way she controlled her pitches and hitting her spots. I was proud of how well we played.”

n TAHLEQUAH 6, MCALESTER 0 — Winning pitcher Brittney Johnson helped her own cause with two hits and scoring three runs for the 2011 Class 5A state finalists. In the circle, she struck out seven batters and scattered three hits in the season opener at McAlester’s diamond.

Marisa Girdner had two hits and scored three runs, while Randee O’Donnell had three hits.

SEQUOYAH 6, STILWELL 1 — Jessica Bluebird struck out six batters and scattered five hits to lead the Lady Indians in their season opener. Cousins Kara and Jamie LInch combined for five hits and five RBIs as Kara LInch drove in two runs and Jamie Linch had three hits. Baylee Ratliff added a double and single.

COWETA 13, HASKELL 6 — Brooke Williams scored twice and Denora Wheelan had two hits, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lady Tigers at Coweta’s diamond in coach Brittany Robison’s head coaching debut. Robison, born in Muskogee, replaced Devin Cross after Cross took the Bacone College job.

Ashton Imel was the losing pitcher.