With four freshmen and five sophomores on its roster, the Greenwich High School softball team is one of the youngest squads in the FCIAC and as a result, it’s still trying to find its way early on in the season.

The Cardinals, who defeated Stratford in their third game of the season, struggled in losses against FCIAC foes Wilton, Westhill and Ludlowe, but showed significant improvement when Brien McMahon came to town today.

Freshman pitcher Cameron Clark pitched a solid game for Greenwich in its 6-2 loss to visiting Brien McMahon – a matchup that saw the Cardinals make several stellar plays in the field.

The Senators used a five-run third inning to seize a 5-0 lead, but Clark, a right-hander, allowed only one run thereafter.

“Cameron did a nice job today,” Greenwich coach Mary Beth Fratello said. “We definitely played so much better than we have been the last couple of weeks. It’s nice to play a complete, solid game.”

Freshman Gianna Toscano delivered two hits and scored a run in one of her first varsity games for the Cardinals.

“At the plate I was really nervous, but when I got up and swung, it felt right,” Toscano said.

Sophomore Mia Giangi (who played third base), freshman shortstop Casey Natale, Clark and junior Kate Friedman (second base) each had one single for Greenwich (1-5).

“I thought it was great today, this is my first game back, I’ve been injured,” Friedman said. The defense was great and I think we were a lot more comfortable out there. From here on, it could only get better. I’m really optimistic.”

McMahon was propelled by junior Julia Macias, who went 2 for 3 and hit a key three-run double in the top of the third inning. Freshman right-hander Caroline Sattler got the start on the mound for the Senators and pitched 3 1/3 innings, before giving way to her sister Lilly Sattler, a junior. Lilly Sattler, also a righty, finished out the game for the Senators.

Following two scoreless innings, the Senators struck for five runs in the top of the third inning. After Kayla Alicea drew a walk from Clark, Caroline Sattler, Lilly Sattler and sophomore Elizabeth Skidmore each followed with singles, with Skidmore’s single driving in a run and giving McMahon a 1-0 edge.

Freshman outfielder Alexa Smith grounded a single to left field, scoring another run and putting the Senators on top, 2-0. Macias then connected for the big hit of the game, driving a fastball to the right center field gap for a double and knocking in two more runs, resulting in a 5-0 advantage for the visitors.

The Cardinals scored their first run in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore Gia Elezaj was hit by a pitch, advanced to second base later in the inning and scored when Natalie hit a single up the middle, cutting the Senators’ lead to 5-1.

Greenwich closed to within 5-2 in the fifth inning. Toscano led off the inning with a single down the right field line. Gangi lined a single off the hand of Sattler and Toscano scored when Natale reached on an infield error. That’s the closest the Cards came though, as McMahon added a run in the seventh inning on freshman Madison Cebrain’s RBI single.

“Brien McMahon defensively is really good,” Toscano said. “Our team is definitely getting better at hitting, it’s something we have to continue working on.”

The Cardinals played the game without the services of their two captains Ciarra Castro and Madison Murphy, both of whom start in the outfield and help key the team’s lineup from the middle of the order. Castro hurt her finger in practice and should be back in action in a few days. Murphy, however, injured her hand and could be sidelined for more than one month.

Greenwich is in action again Wednesday against host Staples.

“We’re coming together, we’re a young team,” Fratello said. “We made some great defensive plays. Cameron was hitting her spots today. Hopefully, we’ll take this game as a learning experience and keep moving forward.”