Jul 29, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Iowa Premier Gold helmets lay in front of the dugout before the game against USA Athletics Gold in the 18U Platinum Championship game at Bill Barber Park at Civic Center Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The BYU softball team got off to a hot start in Mexico over the weekend. Here’s how the Cougars did in the Puerto Vallarta Challenge.

BYU softball opened its season down in Mexico over the weekend, participating in the Puerto Vallarta Challenge.

The Cougars began with a double-header on Feb. 9, playing Nebraska and No. 1 Oklahoma. They exploded against Nebraska – who ended their season last year – and won 12-1 in five innings.

Senior McKenna Bull put in a masterful performance from the mound, going five innings and striking out seven. She only allowed one hit (a solo home run). Power-hitting catcher Libby Sugg hit her first homer of the season and drove in five runs.

Things didn’t go as well against the No. 1 Sooners. A five-run third inning propelled Oklahoma to a 7-1 win, but there’s no shame in losing to the top team in the nation.

On Feb. 10 BYU softball took on No. 13 Washington. The Cougars won 4-2 behind another strong effort from Bull. She went seven inning, struck out three and allowed two runs. Sugg went 3-for-3 and the Cougars picked up their first win over a ranked opponent in 2017.

Today, BYU squared off with No. 2 Auburn. It was a pitcher’s duel, but the Cougars would fall 4-2 to the Tigers. Arissa Paulson went six innings on the mound and only gave up three hits, but surrendered six walks.

BYU softball is 2-2 on the season, but the losses have come to the two best teams in the country. That’s nothing to shake a stick at. It seems like the Cougars have all the necessary pieces to make some noise this year (a true ace, power in the middle of the lineup). BYU softball will next participate in the DeMarini Desert Classic on Feb. 16-18 in Las Vegas.