Karns City started strong, Keystone tried finishing with a flourish and there was an odd umpiring ruling in between.

It all shook out to an 8-4 Gremlins' softball win Tuesday night at Kelly Automotive Park.

“We have a young team and our girls play better when they're loose,” KC coach Mike Stitt said. “They began this game loose and relaxed and we jumped on them.”

Keystone (0-1) committed four errors in the first three innings as the Gremlins (2-0) took an 8-0 lead. Makala Bailey had two RBI during the quick start and Mackenzie Dunn tripled and scored the final KC run.

That triple proved to be the most bizarre play of the night.

With two outs and Katie Neff on first base, Dunn drilled a ball into the left-center field gap. Neff scored easily on the play and Dunn circled the bases when the outfield relay throw sailed over the shortstop's head.

Keystone appealed that Neff — the lead runner — missed third on the play. She was called out— but Dunn's run, which scored after her, was permitted to count.

“The explanation I got was that (Neff) wasn't forced at third, it's like a tag play, so the other run counts ... But I'm not sure that's right,” Stitt said.

Panthers coach John Stiglitz was told the second run counted “because it was an appeal play afterward.

“I don't see how that run can count. If this was a one-run loss, I'd be a lot more bothered by it. But I'm not going to get myself tossed out with the score being what it was,” Stiglitz said.

The Panthers got to freshman starting pitcher Dunn for three runs in the fourth after going hitless in the first three innings. Dani Larrow, Karly Berjkery and McKenna Stiller all had RBI doubles in the frame.

Stitt switched to his other freshman hurler, Logan Byers, in the fifth. Byers worked the final three frames for the save, allowing only one run.

“They started hitting the ball a little bit and we got tighter at the plate with our bats,” Stitt said. “But I thought both of our freshmen pitched well tonight.”

Still struck out nine in a losing cause for Keystone. She struck out the side in the fifth and sixth innings.

“McKenna has a chance to be one of the best pitchers in our league this year,” Stiglitz said. “She started hitting her spots late in the game.”

Dunn and Emily Huff had two hits each for KC.

“They made a run at us, but we settled things down and closed it out,” Stitt said. “That was encouraging to see.”

Keystone 000 310 0 — 4 6 4

Karns City 242 000 x — 8 8 2

W: Mackenzie Dunn 4IP (4K, 1BB). L: McKenna Stiller 6IP (9K, 1BB).

Keystone (0-1): Jessi Phillipi 1B 2-R, Dani Larrow 2B RBI, Karly Berkery 2B 3B 2-RBI, Alyssa Dunlap RBI, McKenna Still 2B 1B

Karns City (2-0): Mackenzie Dunn 1B 3B 2-R, Alyssa Stitt 1B RBI 2-R, Makala Bailey 1B 2-RBI, Emily Huff 2-1B, Emily Wolfe 1B RBI 2-R, Katie Neff 1B RBI

Thursday: Karns City at Highlands