ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Ouachita softball opened Great American Conference play on Friday, as the Tigers dropped their first two games to the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns. The Golden Suns defeated Ouachita 8-1 and 11-3.
 
In the first game, Arkansas Tech (10-1, 2-0 GAC) took advantage early with a 5-run first inning. In the bottom of the second, however, Ouachita (6-4, 0-2 GAC) put a run on the scoreboard with an RBI-single by Kate Lacina. Lacina scored Macy Nantz from third, who walked to lead off the bottom of the second.
 
Both teams were held scoreless through the next four innings. Nantz started at pitcher for the Tigers and allowed just five hits during the second through the sixth inning. Arkansas Tech added to its lead in the top of the seventh, though, with three runs on four hits and one error.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Golden Suns retired the side in order, securing the 8-1 win. Nantz (4-1) was handed her first loss of the season.
 
Arkansas Tech jumped out to an early lead in the second game, as well, scoring four runs in the second and seven in the third. All four runs in the second inning were unearned, due to an error. Four out of the seven runs in the third inning were also unearned.
 
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Emily Acuna cut the deficit to 11-1 with a homerun to left-centerfield. Then in the fifth inning, Ouachita scored two more runs on three hits. Lacina led off the inning with a single, and Paige Purifoy followed with another single down the right-field line. A sacrifice fly by Kelly Powell allowed pinch-runner Sydney Guest to score from third, and Purifoy scored immediately after on a two-out single by Kailey Madden. The Golden Suns finally forced the third out, however, ending the game after five innings.
 
Marissa Butler started at pitcher for the Tigers in the second game, but pitched just 2.2 innings. Butler allowed a total of 11 runs but only two were earned. She also struck out six batters. Kelsey O'Brien replaced Butler in the third inning, and O'Brien finished out the game without allowing a run.
 
The Tigers will continue their four-game series with Arkansas Tech on Saturday, as Ouachita hosts the Golden Suns at Sully Anderson Field. The first of two games is scheduled for 1 p.m.