Players for the Wylie softball team greet Amira Forbit at home plate after she hit a home run in Game 1 of a Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff game against Royse City on Thursday.

The Wylie Pirates fell 9-5 to Royse City in Game 1 of a Class 6A Division I bi-district best-of-three series Thursday night. Royse City jumped out early and held on for the win.

Royse City scored two runs in the top of the first to take the early lead. Wylie threatened in the bottom of the inning but could not push a run across. The visitors added two more in the third to go ahead 4-0 before Wylie got on the board.

The Pirates scored on a sacrifice fly and then cut the gap when Amira Forbit hit a solo home run. Royse City answered with a run in the fourth to make it 5-2. The Bulldogs added two runs in the fifth, one on a hit to left, and led 7-2.

Wylie chipped away in the bottom of the fifth when Forbit drove in a run with a groundout to make it 7-3. The Pirates then rallied in the sixth after holding Royse City scoreless. Ava Cook delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to 7-5. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Wylie had a chance to take the lead, but Royse City escaped without further damage.

“I’m really proud of our girls for showing up, not giving up, and competing until the end,” Wylie head coach Heather Damron said. “We’ve got another game tomorrow, and the message is simple — show up and play tough from the first inning to the last.”

Royse City added two insurance runs in the seventh to seal the 9-5 victory. Wylie had a final opportunity in the bottom half but could not mount another rally.

The series continues with Game 2 on Friday in Royse City. Wylie will try to even the series and force a deciding Game 3.