Hanford, CA — Dirtdogs Lujan watched the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a 2-0 loss to Athletics Mercado Tidd (Dark) in their first game Saturday. Athletics Mercado took the lead early on a single in the first inning. The pitching was strong on both sides. Athletics Mercado pitchers struck out ten, while the Dirtdogs sat down ten. Athletics Mercado got things moving in the first inning when Karmen Vasquez drove in one run on a single. One bright spot for the Dirtdogs was a double by Melanie Mendoza in the fifth inning. Mia Valbuena earned the win for Athletics Mercado. The hurler lasted four innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out ten and walking zero. Aviana Valbuena threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Sophia Martinez took the loss for the Dirtdogs. The right-hander allowed four hits and two runs over five innings, striking out ten and walking zero. Mendoza led the Dirtdogs with one hit in two at bats. Athletics Mercado didn't commit a single error on the field. Vasquez had the most chances in the field with ten.