Puerto Vallarta Challenge Day 1 Recap
The beginning of college softball season officially kicked off on Thursday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Many of the top teams from around college softball met for a season-opening tournament.
10 AM - (RV) Nebraska (0-0) vs (RV) BYU (0-0)
BYU scored early and scored often against Nebraska. By the end of the 3rd, BYU had taken a commanding 12-0 lead over Nebraska. Libby Sugg led the offensive explosion with 5 RBIs, including a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning. Alexa Strid, Ashley Thompson, and Lauren Bell all had multi-hit and multi-RBI performances for the Cougars. The lone Nebraska run came off of a home run down the left field line by Austen Urness.
Final: BYU 12, Nebraska 1
1 PM - #2 Auburn (0-0) vs #1 Oklahoma (0-0)
In a rematch of last years national championship game, the Auburn Tigers were seeking revenge on the Oklahoma Sooners. Courtney Shea got Auburn on the board in the top of the first with a two-out single to center field to plate Carlee Wallace. Sophomore Kendall Veach came up huge with 2 home runs to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 7th. Freshman outfielder Vanessa Taukeiaho got the Sooners on the board with a 2-run single, but it proved to be too little, too late for Oklahoma.
Final: #2 Auburn 3, #1 Oklahoma 2.
4 PM - (RV) BYU (1-0) vs #1 Oklahoma (0-1)
BYU came into the game looking to continue their hot start to the season at the plate, while Oklahoma looked to bounce back from a loss to Auburn. Oklahoma cracked the scoring open in the bottom of the 3rd with a 5 run inning. Fale Aviu started the scoring with a 2 RBI single to centerfield. Shay Knighten followed with a double to left-center to score Aviu. 3 pitchers later, Nicole Pendley hit a home run to right field.
BYU got on the board with a single from Lexi Tarrow in the 5th inning.
Oklahoma would tack on 2 more insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th to seal the victory.
Final: #1 Oklahoma 7, BYU 1
7 PM - #12 Washington (0-0) vs #2 Auburn (1-0)
The nightcap of day turned out to be the premier matchup. The Washington Huskies got a phenomenal pitching performance from Taran Alvelo, who went all 10 innings throwing 168 pitches while striking out 13. Alvelo allowed 3 walks in the first inning, yet only allowed 1 run to score. Carlee Wallace crossed the plate for Auburn on a wild pitch to take an early lead.
Washington could not plate a run until the 7th inning when Taylor Van Zee singled back up the middle and scored Kelly Burdick from second base.
Senior Ali Aguilar got the chance to be the hero in the top of the 10th inning and she took full advantage of the opportunity. Aguilar singled to bring in Kirstyn Thomas to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead over the Tigers. In the bottom of the 10th, Alvelo recorded a pop out and 2 more strikeouts to seal the deal on the victory.
Final: #12 Washington 2, #2 Auburn 1
Day 2 begins at 11 AM tomorrow with Oklahoma (1-1) vs Nebraska (0-1). Nebraska plays again at 2 PM as they play host to Auburn (1-1). The final game of the day includes Washington (1-0) and BYU (1-1).
-Jon Opiela, @jonopiela24
