College of the Redwoods was unable to take advantage of some scoring opportunities at American River on Friday, dropping both games of a softball doubleheader.

Redwoods fell 6-2 in the opener and 6-3 in game two, stranding too many runners on base.

With the two losses, the CR women fell to 2-3-1.

“Offensively, we chased too much early in counts and made it easy on them with quick outs,” CR head coach Micaela Harris said. “We also left too many runners on base.”

Redwoods stranded six runners in game one and was unable to take advantage when they had runners at second and third with no outs in game two.

The CR women started well in game one, with Grace Turgeon reaching base on a bunt single in the top of the first and scoring a few moments later on an error, but the home team would answer with two runs in the bottom half of the inning and never trailed after that.

Maeghan Hampton, Tsinte Steinruck and Jordyn Hattery each also had a hit in the loss, but CR was out-hit 12-4.

Mackenzie Dean took the loss in the circle after going 2-0 in tournament action at Glendale the previous weekend.

The CR bats fared better in game two and out-hit American River 7-6, but the visitors still came up short.

“This is exactly why defense is so important, and we’ve got to keep working to tighten it up,” Harris said. “Our offense didn’t show up the way it has, and in earlier games we were able to overcome some mistakes because we were swinging it well.

“Today was a good example of what happens when you don’t make the routine plays and you don’t make adjustments at the plate.”

Former McKinleyville Panther Bailee Box was a bright spot at the plate for CR in game two, finishing with two hits, as the visitors took an early one-run lead again before giving up three runs in the third.

CR would battle back to tie the game, but the American River women would add to their tally and held on for the sweep.

Hattery continued her impressive start to the new season with a double, while Alayna Phillips got the start in the circle and pitched six good innings, allowing just three earned runs and striking out three.

“Alayna threw a really solid game for us and competed for six innings,” Harris said.

The CR coach is confident the team will continue to improve.

“The good thing is it’s still early in the season, so we have the opportunity to learn from this, make the adjustments and keep getting better,” she said. “We’ll be emphasizing softball IQ, making adjustments pitch to pitch, and playing clean defense to support our pitchers moving forward.”

Next up, Redwoods will have a busy week with six road games in three days, beginning with a doubleheader at Coalinga on Thursday.

“It’s going to test our toughness and preparation,” Harris said of the road trip. “Our job is to respond the right way, clean up the details, and be ready to compete pitch-to-pitch.”