CROWLEY, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana softball split a doubleheader Saturday against John Melvin, losing the first game 11-10 and winning the second game 9-8.
        XULA played the games as exhibitions, so they did not count in the Gold Nuggets' record or statistics. XULA will open its fourth regular season at noon Feb. 10 against Grambling in the River City Classic at Jackson, Miss., then play its home opener at noon Feb. 17 against LeMoyne-Owen at Regala Park in Reserve, La., 34 miles west of the XULA campus.
        In XULA's victory, Kadence Means had three RBIs, Calbey Parker and Madison Winston had two RBIs apiece, and Rayne Althus went 5-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and three runs.
        In the opener Melane Jimmie and Amireeya Malveaux had two RBIs apiece, and Althus, Means, Winston, Parker and Chenai Keyes had two hits apiece.
        XULA had a pair of four-run innings in each game. The Gold Nuggets produced 29 hits, 16 in the second game.