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VIERA, Fla. — For the Naples Braves and coach Jeff Stepanovich, Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Bloomingdale All-Stars at the Junior League state softball tournament was all about execution.

The 13- and 14-year-old Braves struggled to make routine plays, and it was the routine plays that eventually led to their loss in the opening game of pool play.

Bloomingdale took full advantage of the Braves’ mistakes in the field. Even at the plate, the Braves struggled with the routine as they failed on numerous bunt attempts.

“I don’t think we were prepared to play,” Stepanovich said. “I don’t have to take responsibility for that. The kids just weren’t there. They (Bloomingdale) executed and made the plays on defense. We didn’t. That’s why we lost.”

When the Braves did execute, they scored. In the fifth inning, Courtney Hogrefe pushed a bunt past Bloomingdale’s pitcher, which was bobbled for an error. Hogrefe scored on an RBI by Carissa Porter. Katie Hogan sacrificed Porter to second before Dree Heineck singled her home.

“It kind of got us started,” Hogrefe said. “We got some runs after that. I just tried to do what I was supposed to do and it just worked out.”

Naples was also hurt by freak plays. In the first inning, Melissa Dwyer was doubled off first base on a hard-hit line drive. Lauren Tremblay was thrown out by the right fielder on a hard hit in the sixth inning.

“We dropped two balls in the outfield,” Stepanovich said. “I had a girl get thrown out at first base by an outfielder. We just had mistakes that happened.”

Bloomingdale took the lead in the second inning on a ball that landed in between three defenders. And they were able to hold onto that until the fifth. Bloomingdale wouldn’t stay down for long, as they answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning and added two more runs in the bottom half of the sixth.

“That is what is great about this sport. It took all seven innings to get this game done,” Bloomingdale coach Mark Bradd said. “They were a good team, and we really had to battle to get those runs across.”

Both teams managed to put pressure on the opposing defense. Naples starter Sabrina Brett didn’t strike out a single batter and Lisa Feola fanned only one. It was the same for the Bloomingdale All-Stars as their two pitchers (Lean Pemberton and Marlie Bradley) only recorded six strikeouts.

“I think at this level you are going to see more contact,” Stepanovich said. “They executed and played their small game well and we bunted everything back to the pitcher. We need to get those bunts down the first base line and we didn’t get them down. It just comes down to that same word — execution.”

Naples had just five hits in the game, all singles. Katie Raile and Lexi Corrente were the only players that had back-to-back hits, and they were left stranded.

Naples will need a win today against Weston in order to keep their state softball hopes alive. The Braves will complete pool play Sunday against Viera/Suntree.

“We need to figure it out,” Stepanovich said. “They need to make the adjustments. We can only put them into the position. They need to be ready to play. The desire wasn’t there and we had a talk about that.”