PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – After picking up a season-opening win earlier in the day, Utah Valley University dropped its nightcap, 8-0, to the University of Oregon on Thursday at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge.

In the final of the five games on Opening Day at Nancy Almaraz Stadium, the Ducks (1-0) scored four runs in the first and got a strong outing from two left-handers, limiting the Wolverines (1-1) to just one hit.
 
UVU freshman left-hander Katie Zuniga was solid in her first career appearance, throwing 4.1 innings of relief.
 
"I thought Katie looked really good today. She sure didn't look like a freshman throwing the first innings of her collegiate career against Oregon. I was really pleased to see a freshman come in and have that kind of outing," said UVU head coach Stacy May-Johnson.

Oregon scored its first run after a lead-off walk, stolen base and RBI single from Allee Bunker plated Haley Cruse. The Ducks, ranked No. 19 by DISoftball pushed three more runs across in the inning, including on a sacrifice fly and an infield single. Bunker delivered a two-run home run in the second to extend the Ducks' lead to 6-0 after two.
 
Zuniga surrendered the home run to Bunker, the first batter she faced, but settled in after that. Zuniga retired the four straight and six out of seven. She didn't allow another run until the Ducks ended the game with two in the sixth and finished with three strikeouts without allowing a walk.
 
Oregon starter Jordan Dail pitched three first three innings and struck out four, as she and Brooke Yanez combined to strikeout nine Wolverines. 
 
Bunker had two hits and three RBIs for Oregon, while New Mexico State transfer Mya Felder and Terra McGowan both had two hits. The Ducks had runners at second and third with one out in the sixth when McGowan hit two-run double to right, ending the contest in six innings.
 
"We would have liked to have competed a little bit better against Oregon tonight, but 1-1 on Opening Day, we're happy. We saw some things we need to improve on, but we definitely saw some positive things," May-Johnson said.
 
The season-opening win came over George Washington University, 9-1. UVU scored all nine of its runs in the first two innings en route to run-rule win in five innings. For a complete recap on that game, visit https://gouvu.com/news/2020/2/6/softball-uvu-opens-pv-challenge-with-9-1-win-over-gw.aspx
 
The Puerto Vallarta Challenge continues on Friday, with Utah Valley slated to take on Nevada at 3 p.m. CT/2 p.m. MT.