The Denison softball team suffered two losses at the Tucson Invitational Games on Thursday in Tucson, Ariz. The Big Red opened the day with a 9-4 setback to Puget Sound before dropping a 6-2 decision to 21st-ranked Gustavus Adolphus.

In game one, the Loggers jumped out to an early lead after scoring three times in the top of the first. DU shrunk the deficit to one with single runs in the third and fourth innings. Sophomore Katie Nichols scored on a misplayed ball at second base, while junior Ryan Lee singled in pinch runner Maddie Crull in the fourth frame. After allowing runs in back-to-back innings, the Puget Sound offense answered with two runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to build a seven run advantage. Nichols and sophomore Sarah Herold each scored in the bottom of the seventh before a ground out to the catcher ended the contest.

Nichols finished with two hits, including a triple, two runs and a stolen base, while Herold and Crull had the other two Big Red runs. Freshman Colleen Hoffman (1-1) suffered the loss after giving up eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 5.2 innings of work.

The Big Red took an early lead on Gustavus Adolphus in the nightcap thanks to a two-run third inning. Freshman Amanda Howell singled in Herold for the first run before coming around to score on a double by classmate Ricki Asher. Despite falling into an early hole, the 21st-ranked Gusties put up five runs in the sixth frame on the strength of five hits and two DU errors. Gustavus added another run in the seventh, setting the final score at 6-2.

Howell finished the game 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run, while Asher drove in the other run and provided Denison's only extra-base hit. Herold (1-3) took the loss after giving up five runs on nine hits with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

The Big Red (3-5) will wrap up their spring break trip in Tucson, Ariz. on Friday when they take on Wisconsin-Eau Claire (9 a.m. MST) and George Fox (11 a.m. MST).