ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Martin Luther College softball team opened its season Saturday night at the Rochester Regional Stadium and Bubble with a pair of defeats to Nebraska Wesleyan (11-0) and Gustavus Adolphus College (8-0).

NWU 11, MLC 0 (5 innings)

The Knights opened the season with an 11-0 loss to Nebraska Wesleyan in the Rochester Dome.

Prarie Wolves jumped to an early 4-0 lead through three innings, and then put the game away with five runs in the fourth inning off MLC starting pitcher Kelli Doell.

Doell fell to 0-1 on the season after allowing nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits and two strikeouts. Amanda Schoch pitched the final inning for MLC, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits.

Rachel Haugly and Jessica Friebe accounted for the two MLC hits in the game, and both players also registered one stolen base.

GAC 8, MLC 0 (5 innings)

The Knights once again fell victim to a big fourth inning in an 8-0 loss to Gustavus Adolphus to close the day.

MLC trailed 2-0 after three, but the Gusties took control of the game with six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on the way to finishing the game in five innings.

Morgan Palubicki got the start on the mound for MLC and allowed all eight runs (five earned) on eight hits and one walk in four innings of work. She fell to 0-1 on the season.

The Knights were able to register one hit in the game, which came on a single from Schoch to lead off the third inning.

MLC fell to 0-2 on the season following the two defeats. The Knights will return to action tomorrow (Sunday, February 26) at the Rochester Dome with games against St. Olaf (6 p.m.) and St. Benedict (8 p.m.).