The Goshen Eagles opened their 2010 softball season in dominant fashion Thursday, defeating Ariton 12-2 in six innings.

The Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, and never looked back from there.

Ariton was able to narrow the gap to 4-2 in the top of the fourth before the Eagles put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth.

Goshen pushed across four runs in the fourth to take an 8-2 lead.

The Eagles’ Amanda Griggs then closed the game out in the fifth and sixth innings, hitting a two-run home run in the fifth and hitting a two-RBI double in the sixth to end the game due to the 10-run rule.

“Our offense definitely did not let us down,” said GHS head coach Dee Hughes.

“It’s going to be a strong point for us this season, and they certainly answered the call in that aspect.”

Griggs went 3-4 with four Rbis, while Rachel Senn and Kathlyn Thomas also went 3-4.

Shelby Jo Vinson was 2-2 with an RBI, while Samantha Roy was 2-3 and Alli Warrick was 2-4.

Warrick pitched a complete game for Goshen, giving up just five hits while striking out nine Purple Cat batters.

Warrick struck out the side in the first inning, setting the tone for the Eagles from the start.

“The way she started the game by striking out the side really was big,” Hughes said.

“It gave us the kind of momentum you really can’t put into words.”