Springfield, Mo. (OzarksSportsZone.com)  -- Springfield Central opened the season against the Mansfield Lions on Thursday with an 8-6 win. Both teams have things to prove this season, but the fundamental goals of the game remain the same.

“As always it is to go into every game and play as a team and hope to come out with a win," Central head coach Michelle Simmons said.

Her Bulldogs opened up well as they try to stake their claim as a team to reckon with in Springfield.

Central scored first in the game when Molly Eason hit a RBI single in the first inning to give Central the quick 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs also flashed the leather and pitched well to hold Mansfield to one-two-three innings for the first three innings. Simmons' team tacked on three more runs heading in the opening frame to tote a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth.

Mansfield would then turn it on. Pitcher Kailey Morris settled into her game and the Lions started playing defense and hit the ball well to mount a comeback. The Lions posted four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to to tie the game. Quickly thereafter, Mansfield tacked on two more runs to score six unanswered and take a 6-4 lead.

Central would show its mettle and rally.

The Bulldogs answered back with four runs of its own to get the winning margin out to 8-6. Pitcher Molly Eason was a rock for the Bulldogs despite the shaky middle innings. She struck out 13 batters and allowed six runs over seven innings.

The loss was tough to swallow for a young Mansfield team that is looking to prove that just because youth dots the line up top to bottom, doesn't mean the team cannot compete in the regular season and district play.

“It was a tough loss after battling back to take the lead and then giving it right back, but we will come back and try our best next game," Kadie Black said.