NEW ORLEANS - The Xavier softball team took a pair of tough losses in their conference-opening doubleheader, falling 17-0 and 2-1 to No. 12 Our Lady of the Lake. 

XULA (3-8, 0-2 RRAC) had a tough time with OLLU pitcher Annika Litterio, who picked up the win in both contests, striking out a combined 18 batters.

The Gold Nuggets showed a great deal of resiliency on the day. After having such a rough go of it in the first game, they took OLLU the distance in the second, maintaining a tie until the final inning of play. 

Second baseman Lexi McLin had a strong second game, going 2-for-3, including an RBI single in the bottom of the third that scored Maya Covignton. 

Covington had the best showing on offense in the first game with a 1-for-2 performance. 

The two teams will wrap their series on Saturday with a single game. First pitch is scheduled for noon.