TUSCON, Ariz. - The Simpson softball team kicked off play today in the Tuscon Invitational. The Red Hawks are slated to play six games over the next three days. 

Simpson took on Valley City State University Vikings in game one on the first day of the invite. 

The Vikings put early pressure on the Red Hawks' pitching staff as the first five Vikings reached to open the game before starter Katelyne Robinett handed the ball to reliever Hallie Prather. 

But not before the Vikings plated seven runs off six hits as the first eight Viking batters reached base safely. 

The Vikings padded its 7-0 lead as they plated two more runs in the top of the second inning to take the commanding 9-0 lead. 

Simpson scratched across its first run in the bottom of the third inning as a leadoff walk to Jessica Heck came around to score. 

However, the Viking closed out the game in the fifth inning in a 13-1 run-rule fashion.

The Red Hawks offense boasted four hits as Brianna Lopez-Cortez led the bats with a two-hit performance. 

Game 2:

The Red Hawks had a quick turnaround as they took on Concordia University (Neb.) at 1:30 behind starter Lily Rojas. 

The Bulldogs struck early as they plated runs in the first three innings to take the 4-0 lead.

But Simpson answered back in the top half of the fourth inning as Kassandra Soria and Brianna Lopez-Cortez hit back-to-back home runs. 

However, the Bulldogs put together a big inning on a two-out rally as they plated four runs to extend its lead to 8-2. 

Simpson chipped away in the top of the fifth inning as a one-out double by Soria came around to score on an RBI single by Lopez-Cortez. 

The Red Hawk's last gasp came in the top of the seventh as Soria picked up her second double and RBI of the game as she drove home Nicolena Holen before the Bulldogs closed out the 8-4 victory. 

Soria led the Simpson bats with a three extra-base hit performance that included two doubles, a home run, and two RBIs. 

Holen, Lopez-Cortez, and Kayley Vaillette followed with two-hit games as Lopez-Cortex picked up two RBIs. 

Simpson continue play tomorrow as they take on Viterbo at 11 am and Nelson University (Ariz.) at 1:30 pm.
 

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