Las Vegas, Nevada – Not starting the weekend off at the Desert Stinger Classic as planned the Regis University Ranger softball team dropped back-to-back losses to the Augustana (S.D.) Vikings and the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps.  Going into both games knowing each would be its own challenge in that the Vikings have made five-straight NCAA tournament appearances and the Lady Chaps are currently undefeated at 5-0, the Rangers hope to learn and bounce back. 

In the first game, Augustana (5-0, 0-0) slightly edged out Regis 5-4 scoring the game-winning runs off a no-out two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth.

RU held control of the lead throughout the majority of the game scoring two in the third to take a 2-1 lead over the Vikings.  Junior Nicole Aviles (Phoenix, Arizona) blasted a solo home run in the fourth followed by junior Carlie Sexton (Littleton, Colorado) who doubled to left field in the fifth to RBI, bringing the Regis lead to 4-1.  The bottom of the fifth was a tough on the Rangers allowing three runs from a Viking home run to tie the score and ultimately fall in extra innings. 

In the second game, Lubbock Christian (1-0, 0-0) was too much for the Rangers to handle closing out the game early after five innings with a 13-5 win.  The Lady Chaps plated four runs early in the first inning off five hits immediately putting the Rangers in a come from behind position.  Four more crossed the plate in the top of the third making the hole to climb out of that much deeper for RU.

Regis got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third scoring three and one each in the bottom of the fourth and fifth.  Sexton and Aviles led RU offensively with a pair of hits each and recording two RBI's a piece.  One of Aviles two hits was a home run, her second of the season.  The Lady Chaps scored four more in the fifth to close the game out. 

All three Regis pitchers saw action with Aviles tallying the loss.  She allowed no hits, no runs, and struck out two batters.  Junior Nicole Hull (Westminster, Colorado) started the game and faced 20 batters.  Junior Rachelle Knudson (Sterling, Colorado) relieved Hull in the top of the fourth to face13 batters.

The Rangers move to 3-5 overall on the season and play just one game against Saint Martin's on Saturday, February 14 at 12:30 p.m.