TYLER, Texas â€" Texas Lutheran Softball started its 2015 season with a doubleheader split against Louisiana College.
 
At the University of Texas at Tyler, the Bulldogs took the opener 3-1 before falling in the second game 14-5 (in five innings).
 
In the opener, TLU sophomore Veny Pizana (Odem/Odem) allowed just one run over 5-1/3 innings pitched and notched her second career victory.
 
Pizana, a right-hander, struck out four, walked three and scattered six hits.
 
Fellow sophomore right-hander Amanda Lochte (Fredericksburg/Fredericksburg) retired the last five Wildcats and registered the save. She allowed just one hit.
 
TLU scored two runs in the top of the first against LC. Nicole Snow (Tomball/Klein Oak) drove in a run with a single. The Bulldogs scored the second run on an error.
 
After LC scored a run in the sixth to make the TLU lead 2-1, the Bulldogs added an insurance run with a Grace Estes (Willis/Willis) RBI single.
 
In the second game, TLU led 4-2 after three innings before LC struck for eight runs in the fourth and four more runs in the fifth.
 
In the loss, TLU catcher Jennifer Gallagher (Missouri City/Elkins) went 3-for-3 with three RBI.  Gallagher belted an RBI double in the first and had RBI singles in the third and fifth.
 
Hope Estes (Willis/Willis) went 2-for-2 with two runs scored.
 
TLU returns to action Sunday with a noon doubleheader against nationally-ranked UT Tyler. The Bulldogs and Patriots met in a 2014 NCAA DIII Softball regional tournament. TLU won 2-1 in 10 innings.