PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (Feb. 15, 2018) – Rutgers softball completed its first-ever game outside the United States at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Mexico on Thursday evening, resulting in a tight 2-0 setback to Texas, a 2017 NCAA Tournament qualifier.
 
The Scarlet Knights (2-4) held the Longhorns (3-2) to a pair of runs behind the complete-game effort from junior pitcher Whitney Jones, who surrendered six hits and a walk in six frames with just one earned run charged. The RU defense backed up their starter with another solid effort, committing two errors but retiring all 18 outs in the field, including senior catcher Sierra Maddox's second successful caught stealing in as many games.
 
Senior left fielder Nicolette Anico picked up her first hit of 2018 to lead off the fourth inning, while sophomore designated player Nicole Bowman and sophomore third baseman Anyssa Iliopoulos added hits for the Scarlet Knights.
 
Texas' two-way talent, Paige von Sprecken, pitched the complete-game, three-hit shutout with two walks and a strikeout. She also hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second, the only run the Longhorns would need on Thursday. Texas tacked on an insurance run in the fourth with a two-out RBI single.
 
Rutgers continues play in Mexico on Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. ET against No. 3 Oregon.
 
 
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