CLERMONT, Fla. -- Houghton softball opened its 2017 season with losses to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (5-0) and Augustana College (13-3) on Monday.

In game 1 against Rose Hulman the Highlanders were in it until the end, but Rose-Hulman pulled away late in a 5-0 victory. The game was tied at zero with Rose-Hulman batting in the bottom of the fifth when Michelle Korf doubled, driving in two runs.Rose-Hulman scored three runs in the sixth inning. The big inning for Rose-Hulman came thanks to a walk by Maddie Struble and a fielder's choice by Michelle Korf.

Houghton gave up just three hits on the day, but 10 walks hurt the Highlanders. Starter Kaylee Jentsch went 5-2/3, allowing three runs on three hits, while walking seven. Tanya Hattan came on in relief, allowing two runs and walking three.

A single by Jenny Young in the fourth inning was a positive for the Highlanders, who had three hits on the day. Alishia Foss had two hits to lead Houghton.

The Highlanders watched the game 2 slip away early and couldn't recover in a 13-3 loss to Augustana College. Augustana took an early lead in the first inning, scoring one run when Shelby Grandt doubled with one out. The Vikings added four runs in the fifth inning.  

Taylor Sile took the loss for the Highlanders. She tossed three innings, allowing six runs, 10 hits, and walking none. Nicole Fata pitched two innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits.

Sile also led the Highlanders at the play, going 2-for-2 with two runs batted in. Sile and Hattan each had doubles.