TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Siena Heights softball team opened its season with a rain-shortened 9-5 loss to Biola (Calif.) in a game that was delayed once by rain and then ended after six innings at the Tucson Invitational Games on Saturday. SHU was scheduled to play Arizona Christian, but that contest was postponed and will be made up on Sunday, March 2nd.

The Saints (0-1) mustered only three hits -- doubles by Katie O'Hotzke, Bitty Treece and Tiffany Jones -- and drew 13 walks. They once trailed 7-0 before pushing across four runs in the fourth, but SHU's momentum stalled due to a delay after that frame.

Trailing 7-0, the Saints drew seven walks during their four-run fourth, including bases-loaded passes issued to Mariah Boss, O'Hotzke and Taylor Hayes. Treece scored on a wild pitch during the inning and scored on a later wild pitch during the Siena Heights sixth.

O'Hotzke was the losing pitcher. She worked 2 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits while finishing with one strikeout and three walks.

Jenn Sylvester pitched 3 2/3 frames of solid relief. She gave up two runs on five hits while recording one strikeout and one walk.

The Saints will return to action on Sunday with three more games in Tucson.