HAYFIELD -- Hayfield's youthful lineup had little offense against Pine Island's veteran pitching, and the host Vikings lost their season-opener 5-0 to the Panthers Thursday.

Pine Island junior Steph Schroeder struck out 15, walked one and allowed only one hit. Katie Wanous' single to right-center field in the bottom of the sixth inning broke up Schroeder's bid for the no-hitter.

Schroeder is a two-time All-Hiawatha Valley League pitcher and was honorable mention All-State last season for the Panthers.

Alyssa Nelson walked with two outs in the fifth to stop Schroeder's perfect game. Nelson stole second but was stranded as Hayfield's inexperience showed at the plate.

The Vikings had one bad defensive inning, committing three errors in Pine Island's four-run third. The Panthers had two of their six hits off Hayfield pitcher Cassie Kraetsch in the deciding frame. Kraetsch struck out 10, walked none, and hit one batter in the loss.

Pine Island first baseman Beth Hemann went 3-for-4 to pace the Panther bats. Schroeder helped her own cause with an RBI-triple with two outs in the top of the seventh.

Hayfield (0-1, 0-1) plays this afternoon against Southland at Rose Creek before traveling to Kasson-Mantorville Monday.

Linescore:

Pine Island0040010--560

Hayfield0000000--013

WP--Schroeder. LP--Kraetsch (0-1).