LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Martin Luther College softball team could not complete a comeback in the second half of its doubleheader against Viterbo University on Tuesday as it dropped both games by the scores of 9-1 and 12-11.

Viterbo 9, MLC 1

The Knights were unable to contain the power bats of Viterbo in a 9-1 defeat in game one.

The V-Hawks made the most of each scoring opportunity thanks to five home runs out of their nine hits for the game.

Viterbo scored three times in the first inning, and then added two runs in each of the second, third and fifth frames to get the win. Jessica Horn (1-4) started the game for MLC and took the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) in 3.0 innings.

Elena Hoffman drove in Lisa Hoffer with a single in the top of the third inning for the Knights' lone run of the game. Hoffer and Emma Berg led MLC hitters with two hits apiece.

Viterbo 12, MLC 11

The Knights comeback attempt from a seven-run deficit fell short in the final inning of a 12-11 defeat in game two.

Trailing 12-5 after four innings, the Knights scored once in the fifth thanks to a V-Hawks' miscue, and then cut the deficit in half the next inning with a three-run home run by Hoffman. Trailing 12-9 in the seventh inning, Kylie Wolf singled home Hoffer, and then scored on a fielder's choice later the inning, but the tying run was stranded on base as the V-Hawks held on for the win.

Jordyn Heckendorf was part of MLC's early offense in the game with her first home run of the season in the third inning and finished the game 4-5 at the plate with two runs scored. Hoffer and Wolf each scored three runs and combined for five hits, while Hoffman drove in four runs.

Madison Uhlenbrauck (0-4) went the distance for MLC in the circle, allowing 12 runs (seven earned) in 6.0 innings.

MLC fell to 1-9 on the season with the two losses. The sweep improved Viterbo's record to 3-17 on the season.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, April 2, when they host UW-Superior in the home and UMAC opener. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.