SOFTBALL

Pitching gem lifts Ducks — Megan Kleist threw a one-hitter Thursday, leading Oregon to a 1-0 win over Houston in the Ducks’ first game at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge in Mexico. Kleist struck out 10 and walked none, allowing only a one-out single in the third inning. Only one other Houston batter reached base — on a sixth-inning error — against Kleist, who improved to 3-0 while the Ducks improved to 7-0. Oregon, which had scored 73 runs through its first six games, scored its lone run against Houston in the first inning when Shannon Rhodes hit a two-out single, stole second base and came home on a single by Gwen Svekis. The Ducks play two games Friday in the tournament, an afternoon start against Rutgers and an evening game against Texas.

Beavers fall to Louisiana — Home runs by Missy Nunes and Shelby Weeks accounted for all of Oregon State’s runs Thursday in a 9-4 loss to No. 16 Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana. Nunes’ homer in the second inning gave the Beavers a 1-0 lead, but the undefeated Ragin’ Cajuns (6-0) scored eight runs over the next three innings to take command. Weeks belted a three-run homer in the fifth inning, but it was too little for Oregon State (4-2). Chance Burden had two of the Beavers’ eight hits. Oregon State begins play in the Purple and Gold Challenge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with games today against Central Arkansas and Southern Utah.

— Bulletin staff reports