In Tucson, Arizona, the Jimmie softball team lost its first four games — two on Sunday and two on Monday.

The Jimmies lost to Briar Cliff, Iowa, 5-3 on Monday and 10-7 to Concordia, Neb.

Coach Kevin Gall said his team is yet to get on track under the Arizona sunshine.

"We haven't played as well as we're capable of yet," he said. "We're not hitting the ball and against these kinds of teams you have to score runs because it's tough to keep them down too much."

The Jimmies have played No. 22 Park (Mo.) and the competition in general is pretty stiff.

"It's not like it used to be when we'd come down here and go 9-1 or something like that," he said. "Every team we play now is a good team. They have speed, power. … It's challenging, but it's fun. We just have to raise our level of play."

The Jimmies have struggled offensively so far outside of Hanna Dunnigan.

"She's the only girl I've kept in the lineup. She's been good, getting a couple hits every game," Gall said. "We still need some other girls to fill in around here and get going. We keep mixing it up to find something that will work hopefully."

Now 1-6 overall, the Jimmies play Missouri Valley College and Minnesota Lutheran College today.

"They're two more good teams," Gall said. "We have to play better."

Courtesy of Dave Selvig, Jamestown Sun Staff, 3/11/14

******* ******* *******