MESQUITE, Texas - The XULA softball team suffered a close loss in its final outing of the NAIA SCS Invitational, falling 5-2 to Southwestern Christian. 

Xavier (2-4) made a spirited effort at a comeback, posting two runs in the top of the 7th, but were ultimately a bit short. 

Offensively, the trio of Miya Covington, Jada Jones, and Amaya Williams, Xavier's leadoff, second and third batters, were bright spots. Each player went 1-for-3. Jones and Williams each batted in a run, and Jones and Covington scored a run.  

Essynce Wallace took the loss in the circle, after working 4 innings and striking out 4. 

Xavier is on break until next weekend, when they pay a visit to traditional powerhouse William Carey in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The teams are slated to play a doubleheader with Game 1's first pitch occurring at noon.

It figures to be a major testing ground for the Gold Nuggets, as the Crusaders have welcomed back legendary coach Wendy Hogue, who built William Carey into a perennial NAIA World Series contender during her first tenure.