TUSCON, AR - Texas Wesleyan Softball (4-14) earned 19 hits in the first two games of the Tuscon Invitational Monday afternoon and evening, defeating Viterbo (1-6) in the nightcap 4-1 after narrowly falling to Dordt (3-14) in the tourney opener, 1-0.

Viterbo hails from Wisconsin, while Dordt comes from Iowa - both happy to be in the warm climate of Arizona for a week. The bats for TXWES were warm all day, especially Bridgette Krippel's. Krippel hit a combined 4-for-7 at the plate including a double against Dordt. Pitcher Taylor Tubbs allowed just four hits with five strikeouts in the seven innings of that contest, producing now back-to-back impressive starts on the mound dating back to Game 1 of the Oklahoma City series last week.

Down 1-0 with two outs against Dordt in the seventh, Peyton Davidson - who went 3-of-4 at the plate singled and Jenna Rhoades produced a single behind her. With two on, Kylie Summers could not find the gap and the third out was captured. It's the third 1-0 loss in the last two seasons.

The Lady Rams earned runs on hits in Game 2 thanks to some expert bunting, executing in the infield. Saeya Esparza earned first base thanks to an error by the pitcher, helping score Mercedes Beltran in the second frame. Sandra Lopez scored later in the inning on a wild pitch and Summers brought it full circle when her sacrifice bunt scored Esparza to put TXWES up 3-0.

A stalemate after the second-inning burst, Kaitlyn Johnson found a way to squeeze in the fourth run of the day on another sacrifice bunt, Johnson's first RBI of the season.

Madison Ortiz got the start and also went the distance, striking out five allowing just three hits against 26 batters.

The team last went to Tuscon in 2015 where the Lady Rams split six games. Next up is a meeting with Jamestown and Olivet Nazarene back to back on Tuesday starting at 1:30. The tournament is massive, with over 30 NAIA participants along with competition from NCAA DIII and junior colleges. Spotty rain could mess up the packed schedule over the next two days. Weather has not been a factor at all this season and Texas Wesleyan hopes things stay that way the rest of the week.