LAS VEGAS – The Nevada softball team concluded the final day of the Desert Classic on Sunday with a 5-1 loss to FIU. After the first 10 games of the 2018 season, the Wolf Pack now moves to 3-7 on the young year. Nevada's offense struggled throughout the game as the three hits recorded marks a season-low.
 
Freshman Ashley Salausa registered the first home run of her career as well as her first career-hit against the Panthers (5-6), which turned out to be the only run the Pack would score. Her classmate Julia Jensen, went the distance for Nevada, tossing her fourth complete game of the season. Jensen finished the game striking out five batters and threw just 110 pitches in her seven innings of work, while holding FIU's one through four hitters a combined 4-for-16.
 
Nevada found itself in multiple scoring opportunities against FIU, but a total 12 strikeouts from its pitcher Shannon Saile kept the Pack's high octane offense in check. The 12 punch outs ties a season-high for a Wolf Pack opponent.
 
After the Panthers extended their lead to 5-0 in the sixth, Salausa led off the bottom of the inning with a 2-2 pitch that she sent over the left-centerfield wall for the Pack's lone run of the game. Freshman Jessica Sellers muscled out a double in the gap to try and keep the rally going but Nevada was unable to get into a grove as FIU sealed the 5-1 win.

Up next, the Wolf Pack will travel to Stockton, California and compete in the Libby Matson Tournament Feb. 23-25, where Nevada will open up the tournament with a matchup against national power and current No. 7 LSU.